Seattle, WA — This month, more Seattle families will be able to receive monthly fruit and vegetable benefits. Fresh Bucks received an additional $1.3 million in the newly approved 2021 city budget. Combined with the year-end program savings 3,100 people on the waitlist will start receiving vouchers in December that will continue into 2021.
“We aren’t through this pandemic yet. The hardships like food insecurity created by COVID-19 continue to hit many Seattle families, particularly families of color,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said. “Increasing our support for Fresh Bucks will allow families to afford healthy food during these trying times. Investing in programs like Fresh Bucks supports families with much-needed food resources while also investing in our economy through partnerships with local grocery stores and farmers markets.”
A report from Seattle-King County Public Health showed that almost 1 in 10 families reported they didn’t have enough to eat or couldn’t afford to buy more food during the pandemic. Households with children and Latinx, Black, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders populations are seeking food assistance at higher rates.
“Addressing food insecurity was one of my top priorities coming into office our city should be doing all it can to solve food insecurity and increase access to fresh food,” Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss said.
The city of Seattle has served over 1,000,000 million meals through its food assistance programs this year. In March, the city created an emergency grocery voucher program as part of its pandemic response. It’s helped serve over 14,000 eligible households that were identified through existing city programs and in partnership with community-based organizations.
The next application cycle for Fresh Bucks will be available in January on the Fresh Bucks website and shared with community partners. People who receive food stamps can stretch their benefits with Fresh Bucks Savings, SNAP Market Match and Complete Eats.
Families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can also visit the mayor’s COVID-19 Community Resource page for details about additional food security programs and services, including an interactive food resource map that shows the location of food banks, free meals and student to-go pick-ups.
Cox Media Group
