Hoping to make shopping local easier for all income levels, Bayview Farmers Market is once agin accepting SNAP benefits.

The market is in its second year of promoting the use of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) for purchasing from Whidbey vegetable, fruit, and dairy farmers. Here’s how it works: A shopper makes a purchase at a qualified market stand using their SNAP card. They get a receipt to take to the market manager who then matches what they spent with up to $10/day in free market bucks to use at any food stand. This doubles SNAP customers’ spending power, and makes it easier for everyone to shop local and eat healthy, said Annie Jesperson of Deep Harvest Farm.

“The matching fund program helps low income community members afford fresh, local, healthy produce for their families while supporting local farmers,” Jesperson said.

The Bayview Market donated $500 in 2014 to kick off the program, all of which was distributed to low-income customers, according to the release. This year Goosefoot, Coastal Community Bank, Island Athletic Club and individual donors all made contributions to ensure this program continues to thrive.

The market hopes to receive enough funding to be able to also offer matching funds to customers using WIC and Senior Nutrition Program coupons.

For details about the program, and the what the market has to offer, visit bayviewfarmersmarket.com.