patient services, given the seemingly large
amounts of cash reserves on hand that
made them so attractive to Centene.
Oregon should take their lead from
Washington, California, New York, Missouri
and Massachusetts, which have successfully
secured premium refunds totaling hundreds
of thousands of dollars in the form of rebates
from their respective health insurers back to
the consumer.
Mark Hudson
Eugene
HIT OR MISS METAL CROWD
In response to Steve Boggs’ letter
[Letters, June 23], I, too, went to the
Voivod show. I was happy to see a band
that I have listened to since I was a teen
(43 now). All the openers were good, but
my only qualm was the crowd.
The Eugene metal community can be hit
or miss at times, unless it’s a big name or
a more well known name. The half-empty
floor made me wish more people showed up
VIEWPOINT
for such a great band such as Voivod. Yes,
Voivod is well known to the hardcore fans,
but maybe not as much to others. I just hope
this doesn’t sway other big names to skip
Eugene to go to PDX instead.
Jason Gast
Eugene
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. After
re-reading chapter and verse, I can’t help
but think God is giving us an example of
his punishment for perverts and deviants.
You cannot escape the eye of the Lord!
Lon Miller
Drain
RANKED-CHOICE VOTING
Christopher Michaels [Letters, June 23]
will be happy to learn that there is currently
a campaign to bring ranked-choice voting
to our neighbor Benton County. They need
volunteers and donations to get it on the
ballot and pass it! The backers intend this
as a start toward bringing it statewide. For
more info go to betterballotbenton.com.
Alan F. Zundel
Eugene
GOD’S WRATH
Well, I feel very sorry upon hearing
of the tragedy at Orlando. But as I took
up my Bible, I opened at the story of the
DANGEROUS BREED
What’s with the continual pit bull love
affair that EW seems to have [“Puppy Love,”
June 23]? With all the angst spewed about
firearms in virtually every issue (deservedly
so in some instances), I would feel much
safer in the presence of a firearm than a pit.
In fact, the only way I’d feel remotely
safe around one of these “bear traps with
a body attached” is with a gun at easy
reach. Naifs like Sophie Gamand can try
to rehabilitate the image of this dangerous
breed ’til the cows come home, but it won’t
change the fact that society’s best interest
would be served by complete eradication.
I’d be happy to provide the flowers for
the funeral celebration.
Karl Stout
Eugene
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Wow,
we
have
a
new
American record, at least 50 killed in a
mass shooting by a sick, ignorant man
with allegiance to ISIS. Certainly a portion
of the Jewish and Christian world will
now find more reason to hate Muslims,
but before they do, they themselves must
understand they share responsibility.
Yes, all you self-righteous Christians, if
you are going to waltz around this planet
and tell everyone they are going to burn
in hell if they don’t worship your version
of God, you must share the blame for the
hate.
Furthermore, all of we Americans
that consume more than our share of the
planet’s resources, must also acknowledge
BY LY NNE FE SSENDEN
Local Food for All
DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS COMES TO LANE COUNTY
S
ummer is here, with heat that is
ripening berries and tomatoes.
For we locavores, lovers and
eaters of local food, paradise
is at hand. However, local
farm fresh foods are still far from
the default choice for most, and for
many households, fresh produce is
unaffordable.
To help get more locally grown
fruits and vegetables into the hands
of those struggling to put food on the
table, Willamette Farm and Food Coalition
is partnering with the Lane County Farmers
Market to bring Double Up Food Bucks to Lane
County.
Double Up Food Bucks is a nutrition incentive program that encourages SNAP
participants to shop at participating farmers markets. Starting July 2, any SNAP
participant who spends $10 of their benefits at the Lane County Farmers Market will
receive an additional $10 in “food bucks” to purchase fruits and vegetables from
market vendors.
Formerly referred to as “food stamps,” SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program. SNAP provides financial assistance to low-income households
to supplement the monthly cost of purchasing food. Within Oregon, SNAP is
sometimes referred to by the name of the electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system
card — the Oregon Trail card — that is used to deliver SNAP and other benefits to
residents who qualify. Most farmers markets in Lane County have the capability to
accept SNAP benefits.
Helping more households buy fresh, healthy food from local farmers is a simple
yet powerful concept. In Eugene-Springfield, 40,600 low-income households
receive federal SNAP benefits, totaling more than $8 million per month. Any
portion of those federal dollars that can be redirected to our farmers will do double
duty, providing a dollar in new sales for area farmers and a dollar in real nutrition
assistance, improving community health and keeping food dollars circulating in our
local economy.
Originated by Fair Food Network in Michigan, the Double Up Food Bucks
program has been adapted for use throughout Oregon by the Portland-based Farmers
Market Fund. Double Up has transformed agriculture in the state of Michigan by
supporting a massive increase in SNAP use at farmers markets.
Michigan farmers made more than $5 million from SNAP sales in the last five
years and they are growing more produce
because of it. Annual SNAP sales at
farmers markets across the state have
grown to $1.7 million, placing Michigan
among the top five states in the nation.
Although we know that eating more
fruits and vegetables can improve our
health, it’s often hard to prioritize them
when grocery budgets are tight. In
Michigan: 87 percent of Double Up
participants report eating more fruits
and vegetables, 69 percent report
trying new fruits and vegetables, and 66
percent report decreasing the amount of
junk food they eat.
Increasing access to locally grown food for low-income Lane County
residents is integral to the mission of Willamette Farm and Food Coalition. As part
of the statewide effort, the Eugene-based nonprofit plans to expand the Double Up
program to all farmers markets in Lane County over the next two years.
Double Up Food Bucks is a three-way win:
1. SNAP shoppers will purchase more fresh healthy foods for their families.
2. Farmers market vendors will sell more produce.
3. More federal benefit dollars will stay in our community, strengthening our
local economy.
With food assistance making up the greatest single expenditure in the federal
agriculture budget, redirecting even a small percentage of SNAP funds toward
healthy, locally grown food can be a game changer.
Lane County Economic Development recognizes the positive impacts of SNAP
incentives on individuals and the local economy and has committed $20,000 toward
establishing Double Up at the Lane County Farmers Market this season. Private
foundations, businesses and individuals are also stepping up to support this program.
Make a gift today — invest in our food economy and help us expand access to
locally grown produce for those who can least afford it.
Lane County Farmers Market will begin offering Double Up Food Bucks on
Saturday, July 2. Other area markets offering Double Up Food Bucks this season
include: Creswell Farmers Market, Spencer Creek Growers Market, and the FOOD
for Lane County Youth Farm stand in Springfield. For more information or to make
a contribution, see LaneFood.org.
Lynne Fessenden is the executive director of Willamette Farm and Food Coalition, a community nonprofit connect-
ing farmers and consumers in Lane County.
eugeneweekly.com • June 30, 2016
5