1

2

3

$0

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

2005(14)

2006(14)

2007(19)

2008(21)

2009(19)

2010(21)

2011(26)

2012(26)

2013(23)

2014(25)

2015(21)

2016(20)

Year and Amount of Markets

Figure 1. Total SNAP Sales at Food Trust Farmers Markets in Philadelphia, 2005 – 2016

Philly Food Bucks are a healthy food incentive coordinated by The Food Trust. At The Food Trust’s

farmers markets and other participating farmers markets and on-farm stands, SNAP customers earn $2

in Philly Food Bucks to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables for every $5 spent using their SNAP benefits.

Additionally, The Food Trust distributes Philly Food Bucks through healthcare partnerships, community

partnerships and market-based programming such as cooking demonstrations and Learn and Earn

Market Walks. Since the program launched in 2010, $760,852 in Philly Food Bucks have been distributed

and $357,068 in Philly Food Bucks have been redeemed for fresh, locally-grown produce.

SNAP

Philly Food Bucks continued to promote redemption of SNAP benefits at farmers markets. In 2016, SNAP

sales at The Food Trust’s farmers markets were $56,510, with 3,502 transactions. This was a 4% overall

increase in SNAP sales despite operating fewer markets in 2016 compared to 2015. SNAP sales at

partner farmers market sites reached $6,322, with 318 transactions. Total annual SNAP sales at The

Food Trust’s farmers markets from 2005 to 2016 are shown in Figure 1. SNAP sales for individual farmers

markets in 2015 and 2016 are outlined in Appendix Table 1.

Distribution and Redemption

During the 2016 season, Philly Food Bucks valued at $125,012 were distributed, with $59,388 of those

ultimately being redeemed (48% overall redemption rate) (Figure 2). Community partnerships are the

primary source of distribution of Philly Food Bucks (Figure 3). However, Philly Food Bucks distributed

through farmers markets’ SNAP point-of-sale transactions and market-based programming, including

cooking demonstrations and Learn and Earn Market Walks, account for over half (55%) of Philly Food

4

Buck redemptions and have the highest redemption rates (77%) (Figures 4 and 5). For a full breakdown

of Philly Food Bucks distributed via point-of-sale SNAP use and cooking demonstrations, see Appendix

Table 2.

Overall in 2016, there was a 6% increase in Philly Food Buck redeemed at The Food Trust’s farmers

markets and across all participating markets compared to 2015. Ten of The Food Trust’s farmers markets

experienced an over 10% increase in Philly Food Bucks use in 2016 versus 2015. Overall, the PFB

redemption rate was 48% in 2016, and the average amount of Philly Food Bucks redeemed per Food

Trust farmers market increased from $2,060 in 2015 to $2,502 in 2016 (Table 1).

Figure 2. Philly Food Bucks Distribution and Redemption, 2012 – 2016.

Table 1. Philly Food Bucks at The Food Trust’s farmers markets, 2012 – 2016. Philly Food Bucks

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

PARTICIPATING MARKETS

20 26 26 23 25 21 20

TOTAL SALES $11,488 $28,396 $43,854 $52,870 $67,998 $47,378 $50,044

AVERAGE PER MARKET

$574 $1,092 $1,687 $2,298 $2,720 $2,060 $2502

OVERALL REDEMPTION

RATE 38% 45% 39% 42% 61% 54% 48%

TOTAL DISTRIBUTION

$38,318 $80,388 $147,394 $132,826 $133,618 $103,296 $125,012

Note: Philly Food Bucks sales above encompass The Food Trust’s markets only.

$0

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

$100,000

$120,000

$140,000

$160,000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Distributed

Redeemed

5

19%

3%

11%

12%

55%

Figure 3. 2016 Philly Food Buck Distribution

TFT Markets

Non-TFT Markets

Healthcare Partnerships

Market-Based Programming

Community Partners

34%

4%

6% 21%

35%

Figure 4. 2016 Philly Food Bucks Redemption

TFT Markets

Non-TFT Markets

Healthcare Partnerships

Market-Based Programming

Community Partners

6

Figure 5. Philly Food Bucks Redemption Rates by Distributor, 2016.

Healthcare Partnerships

Farmers Market Program staff collaborated with regional healthcare providers to support Philly Food

Bucks distribution. For example, Lankenau Medical Associates provided $10 packets of Philly Food

Bucks to patients that expressed a need for assistance with purchasing fruits and vegetables during a

food security screening question. Diabetes Prevention Programs at Temple Hospital and Freedom Valley

YMCA promoted eating nutritious fruits and vegetables by providing participants with Philly Food Bucks.

Focusing on its employee wellness program, Einstein Hospital used Philly Food Bucks as an incentive for

staff to purchase healthy foods at the Park and Tabor Farmers Market. These partnerships, in addition to

distribution at Philadelphia health centers, account for $3,328, or 6%, of the total redemption of Philly

Food Bucks in 2016 (Figure 4).

Community Partnerships

The Food Trust promoted use of Philly Food Bucks and expanded access to affordable, nutritious food by

distributing $6 packets of Philly Food Bucks through community partners. Through an application

process, community partners are identified—they must serve primarily SNAP-eligible households living

within 10 blocks of a farmers market location. Community partnerships constitute 55% of Philly Food

Bucks distribution (Figure 3). Key channels of partnerships include food pantries and community

development organizations. Partners with the highest redemption rates include East Park Revitalization

Alliance, Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center, and the Greater Philadelphia Coalition

Against Hunger. (See Appendix Table 3 for Key Philly Food Bucks community distribution partners for

each farmers market).

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

$70,000

$80,000

TFT Markets Non-TFTMarkets

HealthcarePartnerships

Market-BasedProgramming

CommunityPartners

Distributed

Redeemed77%

53%

17% 77%

27%

7

Learn and Earn Market Walks

During the 2016 season, Food Trust staff hosted 21 Learn and Earn Market Walks (formerly called

farmers market tours) at 9 farmers market locations. Of the 167 adults and 81 children that participated,

127 attendees took a post-evaluation survey (76% of participating adults). Results show that Learn and

Earn Market Walks help bring new shoppers to market (47% were first time shoppers), educate

participants on a range of topics (Figure 6), and that most participants are “likely” or “very likely” to

return to the farmers market (74%) and tell a friend about the market (85%)(Figure 7). These data

show that Learn and Earn Tours are a beneficial and informative feature of farmers markets.

61% 55% 54% 54% 54%

43%

6%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

ChoosingHealthyFoods

Benefits ofEating Local

Hours ofMarket

PreparingFruits and

Veggies

SavingMoneyWhile

Shopping

Communityof Market

LearnedNothing

Figure 6. Topics Learned about from Learn and Earn Market Walks

85% 74%

15% 26%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Tell a Friend About theMarket

Return to Market innext 30 Days

Figure 7. Intentions from Learn and Earn Market Walks

Likely or Very Likely

Not sure, Unlikely, or VeryUnlikely

8

Cooking Demonstrations

From June through September 2016, eight farmers markets hosted cooking demonstrations led by The

Food Trust’s SNAP-Ed funded nutrition education team. At the Hunting Park Farmers Market, The Food

Trust collaborated with Vetri Community Partnership to bring their Mobile Teaching Kitchen to the

market in November 2016. Following participation in these interactive demonstrations that feature

recipes using produce from the market, 3,359 participants took a post-evaluation survey. Results from

the survey show that cooking demonstrations improve knowledge in a variety of ways (Figure 8), and

motivate participants (77% reported they will prepare the recipe at home and 75% reported they will

eat more fruits and vegetables after the workshop). As cooking demonstrations provide shoppers with

skills and motivate participants to eat healthier, they are an innovative and effective complement to

farmers market programming.

71%

61%

35% 34%

2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Preparing Fruitsand Vegetables

ChoosingHealthy Foods

Saving MoneyWhile Shopping

Keeping FoodSafe

I didn't LearnAnything New

Figure 8. Topics learned about from Cooking Demonstrations

9

A total of 904 customer surveys were collected at

22 of The Food Trust’s farmers markets in

Philadelphia from September to October 2016.1

Over 75% of surveys (N=725) were collected from

17 farmers markets located in low-income

neighborhoods.

Impact of Philly Food Bucks

Results of the 2016 Farmers Market Customer

Survey demonstrate that Philly Food Bucks

customers at low-income farmers markets are

more likely to purchase fruits or vegetables,

increase fruit and vegetable intake, try new fruits

and vegetables, receive nutrition education, visit

market more frequently (every week or more), and

have positive perceptions of the selection and prices of fruits and vegetables at market (Table 2).

The Philly Food Bucks program makes farmers markets more affordable for low-income customers and

keeps customers coming back. Overall, PFB users reported the program was important in helping

purchase fruits and vegetables (82%), in their decision to shop at farmers markets (76%), and in

increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption (69%). Philly Food Bucks play a critical role in attracting

customers in low-income areas to local farmers markets, expanding customers’ purchasing power,

promoting participation in nutrition education opportunities, and increasing consumption of fruits and

vegetables.

1 Methods for the survey and additional results are described elsewhere: Young CR, Aquilante JL, Solomon S, Colby

L, Kawinzi MA, Uy N, Mallya G. Improving fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income customers at farmers markets: Philly Food Bucks, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2011. Preventing Chronic Disease 2013;10:120356.

Who Are Farmers Market Shoppers?

72% of customers were women

43% African American, 42% White, 10% Hispanic, 3% Asian

40% were ages 41 and 65

62% participated in at least one food assistance program (SNAP, PFB, WIC, or FMNP) in the past year

30% of customers had used SNAP at the market 39% had participated in Philly Food Bucks

10

SNAP and Philly Food Buck Use over Time The Food Trust has conducted a farmers market survey since 2006. SNAP usage and Philly Food Bucks participation follow an upward trend over time (Figure 9). The percent of customers that reported ever using SNAP at market increased from 7.6% in 2006 to 30% in 2016. The percent that reported ever using Philly Food Bucks increased from 13% in 2010 (the year the program started), to 39% in 2016. These results show The Food Trust’s farmers markets are reaching ever more low-income customers.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Figure 9. SNAP / PFB Use at The Food Trust's Farmers' Markets, 2006 to 2016

Ever UsedSNAP at thisMarket

Ever Used PFB*-launched in2010

Table 2. How Do PFB Users Compare to Non-PFB Users at Farmers Markets in Low-Income Neighborhoods? PFB Users Non-PFB Users

Reported that quality of fruits and vegetables at FM is better than other neighborhood food stores

91% 88%

Received information about healthy eating while at FM*** 91% 58%

Purchased fruits or vegetables at market* 85% 78%

Reported that selection of fruits and vegetables at FM is better than other neighborhood food stores*

84% 78%

Reported that prices of fruits and vegetables at FM is better than other neighborhood food stores*

74% 61%

Increased fruit and vegetable intake since shopping at FM*** 71% 52%

Tried new fruits or vegetables since shopping at FM*** 71% 49%

Increased fruit and vegetable consumption since using PFB 69% n/a

Observed a cooking demo at FM*** 65% 26%

Visit market every week or more*** 60% 41%

African-American** 55% 49%

Hispanic** 16% 8%

First visit to market*** 7% 24%

* p

11

The Farmers Market Program continues to promote The Food Trust’s mission of ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food and information to make healthy decisions. Data show that accepting SNAP and offering Philly Food Bucks at our markets, along with providing market-based programming, are expanding The Food Trust’s reach and participation among low-income populations. Since 2010, Philly Food Bucks have expanded lower-income Philadelphia shoppers’ fresh produce purchasing power by $357,068. In 2016 alone, $59,388 of Philly Food Bucks were redeemed for locally grown produce, supporting the triple bottom line of improving nutrition, the regional food system, and the environment.

12

Appendix Table 1. SNAP Sales per Food Trust farmers market (2015 and 2016)

*Partnering farm stand not operated by The Food Trust

2015 2016

Farmers Market

18th & Christian $75.95 N/A

22nd & Tasker $19.00 N/A

26th & Allegheny $422.25 $449.75

29th & Wharton $2,929.94 N/A

33rd & Diamond $1,012.07 $1,031.75

4th & Lehigh $477.50 $714.97

52nd & Haverford $709.12 $380.75

58th & Chester $1,235.51 $1,865.94

Common Ground $1,940.92 $487.48

Broad & Snyder $1,321.40 $1,953.72

Cecil B. Moore $1,481.97 $2,064.75

Chester $210.25 $187.50

Clark Park (Thursday) $3,102.21 $1,858.85

Clark Park (Saturday) $22,909.68 $28,207.66

Dickinson Square* N/A $362.25

Fairmount $1,000.75 $1,329.94

Fitler Square N/A N/A

Frankford Transportation Center $1,830.39 $1,990.06

Germantown $1,409.87 $1,488.34

Greensgrow* N/A $4,987.90

Headhouse Market $3,460.70 $5,710.03

Hunting Park $3,742.75 $3,493.75

Liberty Lands Park $356.00 $57.50

Norristown $171.75 $412.75

Park and Tabor $1,242.25 $1,477.75

Philly Urban Creators* N/A $0.00

Overbrook Farms $1,039.76 $550.55

Oxford Circle $1,781.25 $912.27

Schuylkill River Park N/A N/A

SHARE* $378.75 $679.55

Urban Tree Connection: 21st and Cecil B Moore* N/A $437.00

Urban Tree Connection: 42nd and Girard* N/A $79.75

Walnut Hill Community Farm* N/A $47.50

West Oak Lane $973.75 $483.75

Total SNAP Sales $55,235.74 $63,703.76

*Redemption rate for the same farmers market location. **Partnering farm stand not operated by The Food Trust. *** Total Philly Food Buck sales include additional sales of $180 in 2015 and $146 in 2016 redeemed by participating farmers outside of the network of official farmers markets.

Appendix Table 2. Philly Food Bucks Distribution and Redemption for SNAP Point-of-Sale and Cooking

Demonstration Distribution (2015 and 2016)

SNAP

Point of

Sale

Cooking

Demos

SNAP

Point of

Sale

Cooking

Demos

SNAP

Point of

Sale

SNAP POS

Rate*

Cooking

Demos CD Rate*

Total PFB

Sales

SNAP

Point of

Sale

SNAP POS

Rate*

Cooking

DemosCD Rate*

Total PFB

Sales

Farmers Market

18th & Christian 28$ N/A N/A N/A $10 36% N/A N/A $202 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

22nd and Tasker 10$ $ 142 N/A N/A $10 100% $ 54 38% $116 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

26th and Allegheny 210$ 1,448$ $ 282 2,032$ $142 68% $ 1,176 81% $2,588 $ 156 55% 1,288$ 63% $2,018

29th and Wharton 1,002$ N/A N/A N/A $666 66% N/A N/A $962 N/A N/A N/A N/A $0

33rd and Diamond 352$ N/A $ 754 N/A $266 76% N/A N/A $4,382 $ 618 81% N/A N/A $5,130

4th and Lehigh 206$ 1,416$ $ 284 1,948$ $130 63% $ 1,226 87% $2,202 $ 192 68% 1,664$ 85% $3,196

52nd and Haverford 270$ 852$ $ 300 572$ $146 54% $ 636 75% $1,392 $ 92 31% $ 360 63% $1,032

58th and Chester 406$ 628$ $ 822 1,672$ $210 52% $ 244 39% $2,878 $ 504 61% 1,270$ 76% $3,482

Broad & Snyder 590$ N/A $ 762 N/A $452 77% N/A N/A $782 $ 566 74% N/A N/A $1,180

Cecil B. Moore 488$ N/A $ 750 N/A $264 54% N/A N/A $824 $ 326 43% N/A N/A $924

Clark Park - Saturday 7,592$ N/A $ 10,918 N/A $5,998 79% N/A N/A $10,188 $ 8,728 80% N/A N/A $12,494

Clark Park - Thursday 1,132$ 1,980$ $ 790 2,094$ $628 55% 1,228$ 62% $3,506 $ 376 48% 1,180$ 56% $2,838

Common Ground Market 746$ 1,430$ $ 294 1,408$ $316 42% 922$ 64% $2,384 $ 134 46% 1,018$ 72% $1,900

Dickinson Square Farmers' Market* 428$ N/A $ 248 N/A $144 34% N/A N/A $300 $ 218 87% N/A N/A $406

Fair Food Farmstand* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $5,482 N/A N/A N/A N/A $5,358

Fairmount 444$ N/A $ 458 N/A $202 45% N/A N/A $594 $ 332 72% N/A N/A $758

Far Northeast (2015 only)* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $52 N/A N/A N/A N/A $0

Fitler Square N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $18 N/A N/A N/A N/A $166

Frankford Transportation Center 574$ 1,128$ $ 722 1,200$ $228 40% 900$ 80% $1,742 $ 284 39% 856$ 71% $1,818

Germantown 486$ N/A $ 604 N/A $314 65% N/A N/A $986 $ 394 65% N/A N/A $754

Greensgrow Farm* 2,750$ N/A $ 2,390 N/A $876 32% N/A N/A $2,490 $ 506 21% N/A N/A $1,522

Headhouse - Sunday 1,644$ N/A $ 2,872 N/A $1,250 76% N/A N/A $1,982 $ 2,342 82% N/A N/A $2,914

Hunting Park 836$ N/A $ 1,484 $ 708 $490 59% N/A N/A $4,004 $ 512 35% $ 342 48% $4,200

Liberty Lands Park 138$ N/A $ 22 N/A $76 55% N/A N/A $272 $ - 0% N/A N/A $36

Overbrook Farms 340$ N/A $ 248 N/A $258 76% N/A N/A $640 $ 208 84% N/A N/A $674

Oxford Circle 690$ 750$ $ 580 940$ $510 74% 600$ 80% $2,690 $ 368 63% 572$ 61% $2,286

Park and Tabor 432$ N/A $ 744 N/A $248 57% N/A N/A $794 $ 446 60% N/A N/A $1,644

Philly Urban Creators** N/A N/A $ - N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $ - 0% N/A N/A $0

Schuylkill River Park N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $78 N/A N/A N/A N/A $14

SHARE Nice Roots Farm** 140$ N/A $ 242 N/A $8 5% N/A N/A $242 $ 90 37% N/A N/A $716

Urban Tree Connection: 21st and Cecil B Moore**N/A N/A $ 164 600$ N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $ 104 63% 208$ 35% $840

Urban Tree Connection: 42nd and Girard** N/A N/A $ 80 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $ 44 55% N/A N/A $342

Walnut Hill Community Farm** N/A N/A $ 22 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $ 4 20% N/A N/A $14

West Oak Lane 352$ 792$ $ 176 N/A $152 43% 248$ 31% $1,172 $ 54 31% N/A N/A $586

Across All Markets 22,286$ 10,566$ 27,012$ 13,174$ 13,994$ 57% Avg 7,234$ 64% Avg 56,124$ 17,598$ 52% Avg 8,758$ 63% Avg 59,388$

2015 Distribution 2016 Distribution 2015 Redemption 2016 Redemption

2

Appendix Table 3. Key Philly Food Bucks community distribution partners for The Food Trust’s Philly Food

Bucks at farmers market network.

*Partnering farm stand not operated by The Food Trust.

Farmers Market Organization #1 PFBs Redeemed Organization #2 PFBs Redeemed Organization #3 PFBs Redeemed

18th & Christian

22nd and Tasker

26th and Allegheny Devereux United Methodist Church $330 Health Center Nutrionist $12 Coalition Against Hunger $16 $400

29th and Wharton

33rd and Diamond East Park Revitalization Alliance $2,744 Strawberry Mansion NAC $694 Strawberry Mansion CDC $512 $4,272

4th and Lehigh HACE CDC $378 Dorado Village $186 State Representative Leslie Acosta $112 $938

52nd and Haverford Wednesday Lankenau Hospital $156 Freedom Valley YMCA DPP $52 Philadelphia Housing Authority $38 $506

58th and Chester Southwest CDC $162 Diversified Community Services $150 FJ Meyers Recreation Center $144 $1,292

Broad & Snyder Diversified Community Services $142 BenePhilly Center at United Communities $58 Philadelphia Access Center $40 $398

Cecil B. Moore Coalition Against Hunger $72 Strawberry Mansion CDC $52 Sharswood Townhouses Block Captain $44 $490

Clark Park - Saturday Philadelphia Housing Authority $506 Allison Street Association $122 Supportive Older Women's Network $112 $1,866

Clark Park - Thursday Allison Street Association $318 Lankenau Hospital $70 BenePhilly Center at United Communities $60 $846

Common Ground Philadelphia FIGHT $162 BenePhilly Center at Project HOME $60 Freedom Valley YMCA DPP $56 $560

Dickinson Square Farmers Market* Philadelphia Access Center $48 CHOP Social Workers $46 Diversified Community Center $24 $162

Fair Food Farmstand* Ready Set Grow at Brightside Academy $358 Coalition Against Hunger $228 Penn State Extension $208 $4,098

Fairmount Sharswood Townhouses Block Captain $44 Bebashi $38 Strawberry Mansion CDC $32 $336

Fitler Square Diversified Community Services $58 Sharswood Townhouses Block Captain $24 Penn State Extension $24 $106

Frankford Transportation Center Oxford Circle Mennonite Church $100 Esperanza Health Center $42 State Representative Leslie Acosta $38 $464

Germantown West Oak Lane Senior Center $84 Dorado Village $58 Southern Tabernacle Baptist Church - Acts of Kindness $48 $292

Greensgrow Farms* 11th Street Family Health Services $666 Philadelphia County Assistance Office $42 Esperanza Health Center $20 $804

Headhouse - Sunday Democratic Ward 2 $156 Supportive Older Women's Network $8 Sharswood Townhouses Block Captain $6 $188

Hunting Park Hunting Park Fun and Fitness Day 2016 $770 Hunting Park United $728 Hunting Park Community Garden $226 $2,830

Liberty Lands Park Sharswood Townhouses Block Captain $10 11th Street Family Health Services $10 Health Center Nutrionists $10 $24

Overbrook Farms Lankenau Hospital $174 Strawberry Mansion CDC $90 Strawberry Mansion NAC $28 $410

Oxford Circle Oxford Circle Mennonite Church $522 Fresh For All at Houseman Recreation Center $114 Health Center Nutrionists $64 $1,032

Park and Tabor Einstein Hospital $784 Sharswood Townhouses Block Captain $60 Philadelphia County Assistance Office $42 $1,084

Philly Urban Creators* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Schuylkill River Park N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

SHARE Nice Roots Farm* Abbottsford Falls Family Practice $302 Strawberry Mansion NAC $104 PDPH, Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health $60 $602

Urban Tree Connection: 21st and Cecil B Moore* Freedom Valley YMCA DPP $78 Health Center Nutrionist $36 Coalition Against Hunger $32 $272

Urban Tree Connection: 42nd and Girard* Philadelphia County Assistance Office $102 Freedom Valley YMCA DPP $12 WIC $6 $124

Walnut Hill Community Farm* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

West Oak Lane West Oak Lane Senior Center $204 Dorado Village $80 Coalition Against Hunger $64 $510

Across All Markets East Park Revitalization Alliance $2,760 Strawberry Mansion NAC $980 Coalition Against Hunger $902 $25,054

Community Distribution Partners Total PFBs from

Community Partners