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Council Members Moline and Morris
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Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $20,000 from the unappropriated balance of the general fund for the Farmers' Market Association of Toledo to supplement the financial shortfall of the 2021 SNAP Match Program; authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Farmers' Market Association of Toledo; and declaring an emergency.
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SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services created the Produce Perks Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Match program through the Office of Family Assistance to bolster the participation in providing healthy-local alternatives for residents of Ohio. Through the Produce Perks program, SNAP/Ohio Directions Card recipients can get a dollar for dollar match up to $25, per farmers' market visit, to buy fresh, locally-grown produce to supplement their diet.
Produce Perks is a project of Produce Perks Midwest, a nonprofit based in Cincinnati and is Ohio's SNAP Match Program of which the Farmers' Market Association of Toledo is participating member. With the Farmers' Market Association of Toledo, this program can get healthier food to local families, while supporting local farmers and small business. Most local matching funding comes from private foundations in Northwest Ohio. However, due to an increase of 200% participation in this program since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program in Toledo experienced a shortfall in its 3-year funding projection. Shoppers and sales at the Toledo Farmers' Market have increased significantly in 2020 and usage only continues to rise in 2021. This supplemental funding is critical to support SNAP recipient, local farmers and our Toledo Farmer's Market.
This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of funds to support the Farmers' Market Association of Toledo and Toledo Produce Perks SNAP Match Program for the remainder of the 2021 season.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it or...
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