TVFM receives grant funding for Produce Perks program
The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market has been awarded a $1,000 grant to fund its Produce Perks program.
The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market has been awarded a $1,000 grant to fund its Produce Perks program, which will allow the market to support those in the community who utilize the Ohio Direction Card by supplementing their food needs.
Whenever an Ohio Direction Card patron swipes their card and enters an amount, the TVFM will match the amount they request up to $20 in Produce Perks coins. For example, if a patron requests $5, they will receive an additional $5 in Produce Perks coins that can be used for only fruits and vegetables.
If a patron requests more than $20 on their Ohio Direction Card, they will qualify for only the maximum benefit of $20 in Produce Perks coins.
In order to participate in the program, Ohio Direction Card users are asked to identify themselves and answer several survey questions. Once a patron is enrolled in the program, they can come back to the Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market each week and take advantage of the benefit until the funds have been depleted, but they will not be required to take the survey each week, only the first time.
Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market vendors have been educated and understand the Produce Perks coins can be used for the purchase of fruits and vegetables only. If a patron does not use all their coins on that shopping day, they remain viable for the remainder of the market season.
The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m., rain or shine, at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover. The 2018 season will run through Oct. 10 with the exception of Sept. 26 when the Tuscarawas County Fair is open.