Wholesome Wave Georgia helps low-income families double their buying power at designated farmers markets. And now you can help Wholesome Wave Georgia double its helping power.
The organization, which uses private donations to supplement SNAP/EBT purchases (once known as food stamps) at a growing list of farmers markets, mobile markets and farm stands statewide, recently received a matching grant from the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation. The Atlanta-based charity will match all donations (up to a total of $25,000) made before September.
“It means so much to me that the Wilber and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation believed enough in us to fund the grant,” says Wholesome Wave Georgia board president Judith Winfrey. “They understand so well the direct impact that food and what you eat has on your health.”
Here’s how Wholesome Wave works. At participating markets, anyone receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (and at some locations, Women, Infants and Children and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits) can purchase 2-for-1 tokens (a $1 token costs 50 cents) for use at the market. Atlanta-area partners include Clarkston, Decatur, East Atlanta, East Lake, Farm Mobile, Grant Park, Peachtree Road, SWOOM, and Truly Living Well.
Farmers still get paid what they’re worth. Wholesome Wave Georgia pays the other half of each token’s value from its pool of private donations.
Since its founding in 2009, the program has grown quickly. In its first year of operation, it doubled the purchasing power of $6,000 of food assistance. This year, it will double the purchasing power of $125,000 of food assistance money. “We need all the help we can get,” Winfrey says.
That’s where you come in. Wholesome Wave doesn’t get the full value of the matching grant unless it can raise $25,000 in donations before September. You’ll be helping other Georgia families put food–good food–on their plates. Donate here.
