In Kentucky, 55% of farmers’ markets do not accept SNAP benefits. Yet, recent  surveys conducted by the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program revealed that SNAP-eligible Kentuckians who shopped for fruit and vegetables at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and pick-your-own produce farms in addition to grocery stores ate an average of one serving more per day than those who shopped only at grocery stores.  Increasing SNAP-eligible Kentuckians’ access to fresh produce through farmers’ markets could have a positive impact on their consumption of fruits and vegetables, and thus reduce incidence of obesity and associated chronic diseases.

The UK Nutrition Education Program applied a Community Based Prevention Marketing approach to determine barriers to and encouragers of SNAP-eligible Kentuckians shopping at farmers' markets.   The results of the formative research was the development of the University of Kentucky Farmers' Market Toolkit.  The resources and information included in the toolkit can be used by agents of all disciplines, to provide an opportunity for an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to increasing access to nutritious local foods.  

The toolkit was launched in Spring of 2019 for implementation during the 2019 season.  The toolkit and supporting materials have been made available to county agents through the UK NEP website, and forty county agents have attended ZOOM training to introduce them to the toolkit and to learn about the formative research upon which it is based, and how to use the toolkit and resources to help local markets make fresh produce more accessible to low-income audiences.  Two companion resources, a set of informational produce cards and a farmers’ market shopper’s guide,  have been developed and direct shipped to counties.  Agents in twenty counties have agreed to pilot the toolkit during the 2019 season.  A more in depth, in person training for agents is scheduled for September, 2019.