SNAP recipients can double their dollars at Clayton market

A new program aims to benefit SNAP beneficiaries
and Johnston County farms.

 

Food stamp recipients can soon double their money at the Clayton Farm & Community Market.

Johnston County Cooperative Extension will launch the SNAP Double Bucks Program on Oct. 31 at the Clayton market. In short, the County will match dollars that SNAP recipients spend on fresh meats and produce.

“It’s not for, like, cookies or cakes or already prepared items,” explained Nicole Youngblood, a communications and marketing agent with Cooperative Extension. “It’s usually raw agricultural products that you have to take home and prepare.”

Youngblood hit the program highlights for Commissioners during their meeting on Sept. 21.

“Folks that are able to use SNAP funds, they would go to the market manager or the trained volunteer and swipe their SNAP EBT card for, say, $10,” she said. “The ‘double bucks’ would then become $20, and that $10 is matching from the County.”

For the pilot phase of the program, Youngblood suggested the County limit its match to $30 per cardholder per market day. “Essentially, that becomes $60 in total purchasing power for eligible foods,” she said.

Commissioners committed $2,500 to the program in the first year.

The Clayton Farm & Community Market is the logical place to launch the program, Youngblood said. “We would like to start with one established market in our County,” she explained. “And hands down, the one that has been the longest standing and has good volunteers is the Clayton Farm & Community Market.”

Youngblood said an Oct. 31 start should bode well for the program. “The proposed launch date happens to be the weekend after the Clayton Harvest Festival, which we all know to be a very large and well attended community event,” she said.

Details about the program will be available during the festival. “We would provide information in both English and Spanish,” Youngblood said, adding that she hoped to promote the program using the County’s Public Information Office, town governments, social media and Clayton elementary schools.

Commissioners liked the proposal, which a local group first floated last year.

“I’m just really excited to finally see this grow roots,” said Commissioner April Stephens, adding that the program would help farmers and consumers alike.

Commissioner Bill Stovall called the proposal a win-win. “SNAP benefits are generally available to families that are struggling to put food on the table, and this has the potential to increase the benefit value,” he said. “Also, by going to the local farmers market, it increases the potential for commerce with our local growers.”

Page last updated on:  October 16, 2026