SNAP Incentives in Action and the Real Cost of Cuts

Because of the work of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council and our partners, there are six local farmers markets on Saturdays that are able to offer SNAP shoppers the opportunity to double their dollars for fresh, local food each week (there's more on weekdays too!). Through our Double Bucks program, SNAP users can stretch their benefits on Saturdays at:

Charlotte Regional Farmers Market

Davidson Farmers Market

Huntersville Growers Market

Uptown Farmers Market

South End Farmers Market

Matthews Community Farmers Market

These local efforts bring federal policy home in a very real way. But right now, proposed federal budget cuts would reduce SNAP funding by about $230 billion, leaving North Carolina responsible for covering an estimated $700 million gap to continue serving SNAP users. That shortfall does not disappear. It shifts the burden directly onto local communities, nonprofits, states, and private funders who are already stretched to meet rising demand.

Food insecurity is not theoretical. We all do our best to address it, every Saturday and even during the week at farmers markets, every day at pantries, clinics, community fridges, gardens, and so much more across our region. But this work also depends on stable, sustained federal commitments that ensure resources keep pace with the need.

We remain committed to building systems that work. But systems require investment.