ORLANDO, Fla. — Millions of dollars are going to help lower-income families access healthier food.
Channel 9's Janai Norman spoke with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack about the money, which will double to help local farmers at the same time.
Fresh Field Farms is dedicated to supporting local growers by selling their fresh produce to as many people as they can find.
"We think it's important at Fresh Field Farm to bring the finest and the freshest produce to customers of all income levels," said David DeLoach.
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Vilsack announced more than $1.9 million will be used to help that mission.
"We're in a store that does 20 percent of its business with SNAP families, and we want to encourage SNAP families to have access to fruits and vegetables," said Vilsack.
Fruits and vegetables can be expensive, but the program started in Florida will allow SNAP participants to double their bucks at farmers' markets.
For each dollar local food stamp recipients spend on fresh, Florida-grown produce, they get another dollar to buy more.
"Local growers are benefited because stores like this are actually marketing the fact that they're supporting local producers," said Vilsack.
It's estimated local growers could rake in about $2 million more, not to mention the healthier food local, lower-income families will have access to.
There's still no word on which farmers markets will participate in the program.
Vilsack also announced $23 million will go toward research projects to fight citrus greening disease, which has infected more than 75 percent of Florida's citrus crop.
WFTV
