Seattle’s healthy food program expanding to serve 6,000 people

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on Thursday announced that 6,000 residents will be enrolled in Fresh Bucks, the city’s healthy food program, in 2020.

Fresh Bucks is designed to provide fruits and vegetables to low income families.

Two thousand Seattle residents were enrolled in the program in 2019.

An additional $2 million in funding for the program was included in the 2020 budget that was approved by the Seattle City Council.

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Those enrolled in Fresh Bucks receive vouchers that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables at participating retailers.

“As the federal government refuses to help our most vulnerable communities, Seattle is stepping up to ensure our working families can access the healthy, affordable food they need,” Durkan said in a news release.

Last week, the Trump administration announced that a new rule will tighten the requirements for people who rely on the federal food stamp program.

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The rule, which will take effect in April, will affect people between the age of 18 and 49 who do not have children and are not disabled. Click here for more information.

“The mayor’s decision to triple the number of people Fresh Bucks serves comes as the Trump administration issues a final rule which would result in 3.7 million fewer people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits each month, including nearly 1 million students who would lose access to free or reduced lunches,” a spokesperson for Durkan said.

For more information on the Fresh Bucks program, click here.

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