Down Home North Carolina pushes double bucks program for Pitt County farmers market

Pitt County leaders are taking significant steps to enhance food accessibility for residents by expanding the Leroy James Farmers Market hours and funding a vital double bucks program aimed at SNAP recipients. During the recent Pitt County Board of Commissioners meeting, advocates from Down Home North Carolina passionately presented their campaign to secure $330,000 in grant funding, with $300,000 earmarked for the double bucks initiative.

The double bucks program is designed to double the purchasing power of SNAP beneficiaries, allowing them to buy more fresh produce and goods at the farmers market. For example, a SNAP dollar would effectively become two dollars, significantly increasing the amount of food families can afford. This initiative is particularly crucial as many residents face rising grocery prices and potential cuts to federal SNAP benefits.

Daniel Kavanaugh, a local advocate, shared personal stories highlighting the struggles of families relying on SNAP, emphasizing that no one in Pitt County should go hungry. He urged the commissioners to support the program, stating, “We are not asking today to solve this problem, but we are asking you to take just a small bit of action with the funding available you have to ease it.”

Darcy Powell, another advocate, echoed these sentiments, sharing her own experiences with SNAP and the importance of access to nutritious food. She noted that the double bucks program would not only benefit SNAP recipients but also support local farmers by increasing sales at the market.

Carlos Alfonso, the organizer for Down Home North Carolina, stressed the urgency of the situation, pointing out that the program has historically been underfunded. He called on the county to apply for available grants to ensure the program's success and invited commissioners to engage in further discussions about the farmers market's operations.

The proposed changes include extending market hours to three days a week—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—to better accommodate working families. The commissioners are now faced with the task of considering this funding request, which advocates believe could make a substantial difference in the lives of many Pitt County residents.