Program Boosts Food Stamps at King Farmers Market

The recently opened King Farmers Market is now giving Oregon Food Stamp recipients an extra boost. With the help of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, the Portland Farmers Market and the Alberta Food Co-Op, the Foodshare Fund Northeast will give users of Food Stamps an extra $5 at the King Farmers Market.
The market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays until Sept. 27 near the intersection of NE 7^th Avenue and Wygant Street.
Each Portland Farmers Market accepts EBT transactions. Recipients of Food Stamps merely need to convert their EBT credits into EBT tokens at the market's information booth. The tokens can only be used for fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy and seeds and plants intended for growing food. They can't be used for pre-made or hot foods.
The fund began with a $3,000 grant from Alberta Co-op Grocery and a matching donations from the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods and the King Farmers Market Advisory Council. With future donations, organizers are hoping to expand the program by giving additional food credits to people in need.
Contributions can be mailed to 4815 NE 7^th Ave. Portland, OR 97211 or online at http://www.necoalition.org.