Get SNAP Double Bucks at Mecklenburg County Farmers’ Markets
COVID-19 notice: Please note that farmers markets are considered essential services and are open and accepting SNAP and Double Bucks at this time. For more information on how markets are implementing safety procedures, see our video (en español), or information from the health department.
What is SNAP Double Bucks? SNAP users can get tokens for purchases at farmers markets that will let them double their SNAP spending at the markets, without a daily limit. SNAP users do not need to enroll for Double Bucks – just bring your EBT card to participating markets (see these below).
What is SNAP? The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also called Food and Nutrition Services) provides low income residents with money to purchase certain foods and products. More information about the program and how to enroll is here.
How this Works
The SNAP and Double Bucks process at the markets:
• Each participating market has a SNAP EBT payment terminal
• Customers swipe their EBT card at the market booth to purchase market tokens, with a $1 for $1 match via Double Bucks. The tokens are then used at individual market vendors in the same way a cash transaction would be made.
• There is no daily limit to the amount customers would like to match via Double Bucks.
Where this Works
| Matthews Community Market 188 North Trade Street, Matthews, NC Saturdays, 8 am – 12pm, March – November Saturdays, 8 am – 10 am, December – February Click to learn more here | University City Farmers Market Along the lake at The Shoppes at University Place Saturdays, 8am – 1pm Click here to learn more |
| Deep Roots CPS Farm Various markets Year-round Click here for locations. | The Bulb Mobile Market Rotating markets throughout the week Year-round Click here for locations. |
| Plaza Midwood Farmers Market at Local Loaf 800 East 35th St, Charlotte, NC Thursdays, 5pm – 8pm May – October Click here to learn more | Plaza Midwood Farmers Market at Common Market 2007 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC Saturdays, 10am – 1pm May – October Click here to learn more |
| Davidson Farmers Market 120 S. Main St, Davidson, NC Saturdays, 9am – 12pm, April – November Rotating Saturdays, December – March Learn more here | Uptown Farmers Market 301 North Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205 Saturday, 8am – 12pm April – October Learn more here |
| North End Farmers Market 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC Wednesdays, 4pm – 8pm April – October Learn more here | South End Market at Atherton 235 West Tremont Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203 Saturdays, 8am – 1pm Year-round Click here to learn more |
| Eastway Recreation Center: Eastway Park Pop-Up Market 423 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC Tues, 11am – 1pm Through September | Valerie C. Woodard Center: Tuckaseegee Garden Pop-Up Market 3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC Fri, 2pm – 4pm Through September |
| Huntersville Growers Market at Novant Health 201 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC Tuesdays, 9am – 1pm May – August Learn more here | Huntersville Growers Market at Veterans Park 10030 Gilead Rd, Huntersville, NC Saturdays, 8am – 12pm May – September Learn more here |
| Urban Farm at Aldersgate 4101 Somerdale Lane, Charlotte, NC Thursdays, 5pm – 8pm May – September Learn more | Seeds for Change Farmers Market 2901 Romare Bearden Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208 Saturdays, 9am – 12pm May – September, November – February |
Whose program is this?
CMFPC is working with the Mecklenburg County Health Department and City of Charlotte to provide financial assistance for SNAP users interested in purchasing produce at farmers’ markets in Mecklenburg County.
Why are we supporting this program?
Double Bucks has been shown to increase SNAP usage on fresh and healthy food through:
• Increased number of Farmers’ Markets accepting SNAP
• Improved SNAP awareness and enrollment
• Greater SNAP utilization at Farmers’ Markets
Studies show that SNAP Double Bucks at farmers’ markets can increase purchases of fruits and vegetables, and that SNAP alone improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.
Supporting farmers markets also strengthens our local food economy and supports small businesses:
• Every Double Bucks dollar is going into the hand of a local farmer
• Traffic at Farmers’ Markets increases and encourages overall spending
Have questions about the program or suggestions?
Email us at foodaccess@charlottefoodpolicy.org
This project is generously funded by the following organizations:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield NC, the American Heart Association, and the Mecklenburg County Health Department
