2017 SNAP Share Round Up
2017 was our 6th year offering the SNAP Share Program. Grow Food Northampton partners with Crimson & Clover Farm to offer subsidized CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares for SNAP clients. The SNAP Share provides a weekly pick up of sustainably grown vegetables for 20 weeks from June through the end of October (or 24 for those opting for an extended season) at the Crimson & Clover farmstand. We had 39 participants for the 2017 season.
Shareholders were able to sign up for an automatic payment system with the MA Department of Transitional Assistance, avoiding the hassle and potential stigma of swiping an EBT card at the farm. This system also made it easier to take advantage of HIP (Healthy Incentives Program), which reimbursed much of the cost of the farm share back to clients’ SNAP accounts.
In total, the program enable shareholders to purchase produce worth $589, with approximately 84% paid for out of their SNAP accounts, 50% covered by he HIP reimbursement, and 16% subsidized directly by Grow Food Northampton.
We surveyed participants and the results were very positive: 91% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of produce; 100% were satisfied or very satisfied with the quantity of vegetables; 75% were satisfied or very satisfied with the variety and 100% were satisfied or very satisfied with the program overall (see chart below).

Here are some additional survey results:
- 100% of respondents said that the enrollment process was easy
- 92% said the pickup time and location at Crimson and Clover was convenient
- The largest age group was 30-39, making up 43% of respondents and the second largest was 50-59, making up 21% of the respondents.
- 75% of respondents tried vegetables that they had never eaten before
- 92% ate more vegetables and said that their diet was healthier because of the program
- 67% of respondents found out about the HIP program from someone at Grow Food Northampton, and
- 83% thought the Share Cost with the HIP reimbursement was affordable.
We are very grateful to the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Western MA for supporting this project. We had a great 2017 season and will have more information soon about the 2018 SNAP Share program.