New - Double Value Program For LINK Users!
Starting August 13, anyone who receives LINK benefits and shops at the Market will be able to double the value of their Market Scratch LINK token purchases up to $20 per card per Market day. Have a LINK card? If you request $10 in LINK tokens at the City tent, you'll receive $20 total. If you request $20, you'll receive $40 total. Request $60? You'll receive $80 total.
There are three major benefits to having the Double Value program:
- LINK recipients can stretch their benefits and purchase more fresh, locally-grown produce, locally-raised meats, and other foods produced locally.
- Local growers and food producers will sell more of their products, increasing their revenues.
- Local economic activity increases by $1.73 for every SNAP (formerly known as "food stamps") dollar spent - this is great stimulus!
The City of Urbana and Urbana's Market at the Square are thrilled to be working LINK Up Illinois on this project. LINK Up Illinois is a program of Experimental Station in partnership with Wholesome Wave and the Illinois Farmers Market Network.
If you have any questions about how the program works, please call Lisa Bralts at 217-384-2319, or send an email.
Not sure if you qualify for SNAP benfits? You might - many people are eligible for benefits and don't realize it. If you need more information about starting the application process, please call Jessica Simpson, SNAP Outreach Coordinator for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. She can be reached at 217-328-3663 or at jsimpson@eifoodbank.org.
