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Rollbacks on food benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are beginning to impact consumers and producers alike at local farmer’s markets.

Starting in August, approximately 10,000 Massachusetts residents are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits, and up to 150,000 residents could lose a portion of their benefits. These terminations come after the Trump administration signed a law in July that reinstated work requirements for participants, who are “able-bodied without dependents.”

State-level funding cuts have also reduced other food benefits, such as the Healthy Initiative Program (HIP). HIP provides over 175,000 families with an incentive to buy fresh foods and vegetables.

In previous years, HIP benefits were adjusted for household size. A household of one or two people would receive 40 dollars a month; families of three to five would receive 60 dollars; and a house of six receives 80 dollars. Under the current reduction, all families receive 40 dollars in HIP benefits regardless of household size.

Bianca Bowman, market operator at the Brighton Farmers Market, says that a large majority of the people who come to the market use SNAP and HIP benefits. As part of the Allston-Brighton Health Collaborative, the Brighton Farmers Market serves fresh, local produce on Wednesdays from June to October at Brighton Commons (30 Chestnut Hill Ave).

“Our market relies heavily on people that get SNAP and HIP benefits,” Bowman says. “I’ve noticed that compared to previous years, we have less numbers coming to the market. It affects us hugely. I think it affects the people that we are trying to serve hugely.”

In addition to reducing the number of people coming to the farmer’s market, the recent cuts at the federal and state level means that families are seeking options to afford groceries at the local level. In particular, Bowman observes an increasing demand for five dollar coupons provided by Brighton Farmers Market. 

“The lines for our five dollar coupons are super long. People are coming home really early to make sure that they’re getting the coupons, so I would guess that all of these are connected,” she says. “They’re willing to wait for two hours in the hot sun to get a five dollar coupon.”

Bowman cites other efforts by the Allston-Brighton Health Collaborative to combat these changes, including creating a resource for community fridges and food pantries as well as advocating at the state and city-level to bring funding back. 

“Our mission is to provide local food. Rain, shine or heat wave,” Bowman tells us on a particularly sweltering Wednesday afternoon at Brighton Farmers Market. “We are open to figuring it out as many ways as we can. We’re going to continue doing things like applying for grants, finding programs where we can get people more food and more fresh vegetables and fruits and meat and fish.” ■