Submitted by Soroptimists of Friday Harbor

Fresh Bucks on San Juan Island is back starting this Memorial Day Weekend at the Farmers Market.

Fresh Bucks is a San Juan Island program that helps those who live at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level buy more nutritious food. Those eligible receive $40 in Fresh Bucks every Farmers Market day to spend on locally grown fresh produce, meat, eggs, and other SNAP-eligible foods when shopping at the San Juan Island Farmers Market. A win-win situation for island residents and farmers.

Fresh Bucks paused in 2022 and 2023, but we are pleased to announce that the program is back in place for 2024 thanks to the generosity of Soroptimists of Friday Harbor, Mullis Community Senior Center, and San Juan Island Farmers Market Association who have collectively contributed $15,000 in seed funds to get the program started this year. We are looking for matching funds from the SJI community to keep the Fresh Bucks program going throughout the growing season this year.

Anyone who is enrolled in or qualifies for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC, or other food security programs is eligible. Applications in English and Spanish are available online https://forms.gle/bs5ZCMw3xirjdpeSA or you can fill out an application at the Family Resource Center or Health Department.

The San Juan Island Fresh Bucks program sponsored by Nourish to Flourish depends entirely on donations – if you would like to support this food access program please go to https://rb.gy/fri4sg. Every donation is 100% for food.