Courtesy of a new program introduced by the District of Columbia's Department of Health in partnership with farmers markets across the city, Haynesworth added a bag full of plums to her polka-dot grocery cart and turned her attention to the tomatoes.

Produce Plus provides low-income city residents with two $5 checks a week at certified District farmers markets and some community distribution sites to spend on fruit and vegetables this summer while the appropriated money lasts or until Sept. 30.

The D.C. Council allotted $135,000 for the purchase of food through the program, aiming to increase access to produce for those who may struggle to find money in their budgets for fresh fruit and vegetables. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; federal food assistance by way of SNAP, formerly known as food stamps; Medicaid; or WIC nutrition support for women, infants and children are eligible for Produce Plus.

To read the complete article, see:
DC program puts veggies on poor residents' tables(www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-program-puts-veggies-on-poor-residents-tables/2014/08/17/ec4066f2-261d-11e4-8b10-7db129976abb_story.html)
For some shoppers, a big plus at farmers markets

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:ROCHESTER PUBLIC MARKET ADOPTS WOODEN TOKENS(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n17a18.html)