Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the best recipe for healthy living, and yet in Oak Ridge, the summer Oak Ridge Farmers' Market does NOT accept SNAP (food stamps) benefits.

That means nearly 20% of Anderson County residents and 33% of our children CANNOT attend the summertime Oak Ridge Farmers' Market. Even though the market is RENT-FREE on public property, and located right next to a public housing project. 

Three-fourths of all farmers' markets accept SNAP with no problem... including our own Winter Farmer's Market at St. Mary's School gym!  Plus the Winter Farmers' Market offers the Fresh Savings Grant, doubling a person's SNAP benefits at the market. Farmers cannot receive this grant on their own. While they could offer SNAP, it costs $120+ per year. The Winter Farmers' Market management covers these fees. SNAP and Fresh Savings dollars mean more sales for farmers! 

***City Council of Oak RIdge *** This petition is to ask City Council to consider the proposal before them, for a new management of the summer farmers' market, bringing SNAP, Fresh Savings, children's activities and more to the summer market. This is at no cost to the City of Oak Ridge.