On Nov. 12, CAFM will add $20 in Community Bucks to the $20 in temporary Double Up Food Bucks the market association began issuing on Nov.1 to SNAP customers.

We will re-evaluate after the Wednesday market to determine if funds will be available to offer Community Bucks at additional markets.

Farmers Market Fund, a Portland-based organization, provided both funding and guidance that allowed CAFM to serve people who otherwise would have lost access to much of their food budget.

Following news on Friday that SNAP was loaded on cards. FMF decided to allow the $1 match to continue through the month in light of the severe food insecurity Oregonians have experience since Nov. 1.

CAFM asks that SNAP users consider redeeming more than $1 in SNAP to help support local farmers.

Community Bucks are now possible thanks to Fresh & Local, First, a small local nonprofit that has assisted farmers’ markets in Linn and Benton counties.

The new $2 currency will be good for everything at the farmers’ markets other than cut flowers, ornamental plants and restaurant food. Double Up Food Bucks is good for fruits, veggies, fresh herbs mushrooms and dried beans, plus seeds/plants that produce food.

Community members began offering donations last week at markets. For online donations, go to https://freshlocalfirst.wixsite.com/freshandlocal/donate

Community Bucks will fill gaps in the types of products customers can buy (think meat, poultry, baked goods, dairy, eggs and honey) and also ensure that most farmers’ market vendors will be supported by those purchases.

Shoppers should bring their SNAP cards to the market booth (purple tents in Corvallis and green tent in Albany) to get Double Up Food Bucks.

No market currency has expired yet this year. DUFB will expire on Dec 31. Balances on SNAP cards remain valid.

How long will the temporary Double Up Food Bucks program last?
Because many folks have already experienced severe food insecurity this month, our Double Up Food Bucks funder (Farmers Market Fund) has committed to preserve the $20 match for $1 SNAP through the month of November.

Can I get more than a $20 DUFB match?
You can only get $20 matching DUFB per day per market. If you have SNAP on your card, we encourage you to take out more than the $1. You won’t receive any additional DUFB beyond the $20. But we have added a $20 Community Bucks benefit!

What are Community Bucks?
CAFM is using local donations to Fresh & Local, First to fund Community Bucks. You can use this $2 paper currency to buy anything at the farmers’ market except cut flowers, ornamental plants and restaurant food. You could, for example, buy meat, poultry, baked goods, dairy, eggs and honey, and other prepared foods.

Can I get these currencies at other farmers’ markets?
Any market that has offered Double Up this season is eligible to issue and accept DUFB if they are still open. Community Bucks are exclusive to CAFM.

How often can I get funds?
Anyone with a SNAP card and PIN can receive funds once per day per market.

Do I have to use either of these currencies right now?
Community Bucks will not expire. ALL Double Up Food Bucks — regular and emergency — will expire on Dec. 31. Many markets close before then. Last dates for CAFM are bonus markets on Dec. 6 (Corvallis) and Dec. 13 (Albany). No other farmers’ markets in Linn or Benton counties are open, but if you are traveling you should check to see if any DUFB markets are open in December where you are going.