Syracuse-area residents struggling to pay for groceries due to lagging federal aid can find relief Saturday at the Central New York Regional Market. Strong turnout is expected for an aid program offered by the state.
Regional market CEO Bill Fisher said it’s an extension of the Fresh Connect coupon program that matches electronic SNAP benefits used at farmers markets. But now the state is offering $20 coupons to help those in need.
“This area over here is where we'll be running the coupon operation for emergency response program that the State Department of Agriculture Markets began with us last week," Fisher said during a walk around the grounds. “You can buy any of the SNAP eligible foods whether or not you receive EBT benefits. The response has been strong, and it's worked very well so far.”
Fisher said on the first day of the program, they handed out $60,000 in coupons. People can use them for items that are in plentiful supply at the regional market from fruits, vegetables, and bread to meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. He said that’s a big boost for the market’s vendors that depend on successful weekends.
“We heard from some of our vendors that were used to receiving hundreds of dollars in sales that were paid for with these Fresh Connect coupons," he said. "We heard that they were getting thousands of dollars in coupons on Saturday."
Fisher said the timing of the program is helpful for residents who feel pinched following the government shutdown, but also because it’s right before Thanksgiving and Christmas. He said they should have enough coupons to last into early or mid-December. They must be used by year’s end. The regional market opens Saturday at 7 a.m.