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Community group asks Pitt County to fund ‘double‑bucks’ SNAP match and extend farmers market hours
Summary
Down Home NC’s Pitt County chapter asked commissioners to commit $330,000 in county funds or pursue grants to establish a double‑bucks program at the Leroy James Farmers Market and extend market days to improve SNAP recipients’ access.
At the Pitt County meeting on April 7, representatives of the Pitt County chapter of Down Home North Carolina urged commissioners to apply for grants or allocate local funds to support a double-bucks program at the Leroy James Farmers Market that would match SNAP benefits and increase market accessibility.
Wade Wilson and other chapter members described a proposal to use $330,000 — $300,000 for the double‑bucks matching pool and $30,000 for outreach and advertising — to help SNAP recipients double their purchasing power at the market. The group also requested expanded market days (they proposed three days a week, including Thursday and Saturday) to reach more working households.
Speakers including Daniel Kavanaugh and Darcy Powell described personal or observed experience with SNAP and said the program helped buy healthier foods. Organizers said several federal grant opportunities exist, and they have begun conversations with the county manager about possible grant applications. They invited commissioners and farmers to upcoming organizing events and requested follow‑up meetings to design a program that would work for local vendors.
There was no formal board vote on the request during the meeting; organizers said they sought county partnership to apply for grant funding or to use available local funds to implement the program. Planning staff and commissioners did not make a funding commitment at the session but were invited to meet with organizers to discuss next steps.
