Since the Michigan Farmers Market Association’s (MIFMA) work began in 2006, Michigan has become a national leader in expanding food access through direct-marketing retail sites. Current proposed cuts to food assistance programs at the national level threaten that progress and stand to upend the lives and livelihoods of Michigan families, farmers, and communities.
In Michigan, where agriculture contributes nearly $105 billion annually to the state’s economy and where more than 300 agricultural products are commercially produced, food assistance programs meaningfully contribute to farmer and market viability. Perhaps no one exemplifies this more than the direct marketing farmer- the farmer who grows and/or produces food in Michigan and sells it directly to their neighbors and communities. For direct-marketing farmers, accepting SNAP expands their customer base, increases their sales, and allows them to serve all members of their communities.
Michigan is a national champion in food assistance program acceptance at markets, consistently ranking in the top five states by number of farmers and markets authorized to accept SNAP benefits and the dollar value of SNAP spent with them. More than half of Michigan’s 300 farmers markets accept SNAP benefits, including at least one market in 86% of Michigan counties.
When farmers and markets accept SNAP, they also have the opportunity to participate in Double Up Food Bucks, Michigan’s statewide nutrition incentive program. Founded in Michigan by Fair Food Network, this national program model matches SNAP purchases made at participating retailers dollar for dollar with additional funds to purchase more fruits and vegetables. More than 1,000 Michigan farmers benefit from Double Up Food Bucks annually and have sold more than 30 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Michigan SNAP recipients since 2009. National program evaluation shows that Double Up participants eat more produce than the average American, not just the average SNAP recipient.
Sales from food assistance and nutrition incentive programs are extremely important to direct-marketing farmers. In 2024, SNAP benefits utilized at Michigan farmers markets totalled more than $1.5 million and earned shoppers an additional $860,000 to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables, thus creating total buying power that reached nearly $2.4 million. When farmers sell directly to consumers, the retail prices they get for their products allow them to retain a larger portion of the food dollar, thus amplifying these sales and contributing significantly to the viability of their operations and the livelihoods of their own families.
How local food champions can help: You can take action now to prevent harmful cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs. Ask your Member of Congress to protect SNAP for the well-being of families, farmers, and markets throughout Michigan and across the country. The Michigan League for Public Policy can support you in reaching out to your Senators and Representatives through this website.