Rosa Parks Farmers Market in Charlotte unveils new food stamps program

In its second year of operation in Charlotte’s West End, the Rosa Parks Farmers Market has expanded its fresh food offerings and is helping food stamp customers take home more fruits and vegetables.

The farmers market opened for the 2017 season on Tuesday morning. It sets up every Tuesday, through September, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Mecklenburg County Health Department’s Northwest Campus location, located at 2845 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.

Vendors accept cash and debit cards. The farmers market, which accepts EBT/SNAP cards as payment for food items, is new this year to an EBT “Double-Up Bucks” program, which will allow food stamp customers more purchasing power. The “Double-Up” program is a dollar-for-dollar match with food stamp benefit purchases (up to $20).

Throughout the summer, the market will host a “kid’s zone” with gardening activities for children and nutrition education sessions.

This story was originally published June 6, 2017 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Rosa Parks Farmers Market in Charlotte unveils new food stamps program."