About Fresh Bucks
For too many people in Seattle, healthy food is out of reach.
Fresh Bucks is a healthy food program that helps Seattle residents afford the fruits and vegetables they need to thrive.
Since 2012, Fresh Bucks has worked with dedicated local partners to reach historically underserved communities and help reduce racial and health disparities, increase access to healthy food, and improve community health.
Today, the program serves over 12,000 Seattle households with produce benefits that can be redeemed at over 30 local retailers, including farmers markets, farm stands, independent grocers, and supermarkets.
76%
of Fresh Bucks customers are BIPOC
Centering Priority Communities
Operated by the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment, Fresh Bucks aims to eliminate disparities in healthy food access for communities most burdened by food insecurity, economic hardship, and environmental injustices. Communities of color are most likely to experience food insecurity, and the COVID-19 pandemic made matters worse. Food insecurity nearly doubled in 2020 among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, and refugee populations.
Fresh Bucks works with local community-based organizations and health clinics that are deeply rooted in communities of color to reach people most impacted by food insecurity. These dedicated organizations help reach priority communities in their native languages and provide critical resources through education and program enrollment.
See How Fresh Bucks is Making a Difference
Supporting Local Businesses and Local Food Producers
Fresh Bucks helps Seattle residents afford healthy food while supporting local businesses. Fresh Bucks customers can shop at over 30 local retailers, including farmers markets, farm stands, and small and large grocers. Research shows that every $1 in Fresh Bucks contributes an estimated $1.50 to the local economy.
$12
Million
Local economic impact of Fresh Bucks from 2018–2020
Meet our Retailers
“We have long-time customers that use Fresh Bucks, and we have welcomed new customers who visit because we are a Fresh Bucks partner. Our customers love to stop in regularly for fresh, quality produce that we stock daily. The increased revenue from Fresh Bucks sales helps our business reliably meet our community’s needs.”
—Lee’s Produce Market
Fresh Bucks Funding
Fresh Bucks is funded by the City of Seattle, including Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT). The SBT promotes public health by reducing the sales and consumption of sugary drinks and investing the tax revenue in healthy food programs designed to reach communities most impacted by food insecurity. SBT revenues are reinvested in communities at high risk of food insecurity, with a focus on eliminating barriers and promoting healthy and culturally responsive food choices through programs and services that increase access to healthy food. Learn more about the SBT.
Additional support for Fresh Bucks is provided by the Washington State Department of Health.
“In 2020, we connected more than 450 families to the Fresh Bucks program.
The low-income families we serve are mostly BIPOC families and primarily African American, while some are undocumented and afraid to seek out resources. Fresh Bucks helps them all stretch their food budgets and become more intentional in their grocery shopping.”
–Michelle Mitchell-Brannon, Atlantic Street Center Director of Youth & Education Support
Partners
Thank you to our network of partners who build deep community relationships, create equitable opportunities, and offer a variety of access points where customers can use their benefits.
Enrollment Partners
Atlantic Street Center
Casa Latina
Children’s Home Society of Washington
Chinese Information and Service Center
Harborview Medical Center
Horn of Africa Services
Interim Community Development Association
Kaiser Permanente
Latino Community Fund
Neighborcare Health Systems
Neighborhood House
Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic
Public Health Seattle & King County
Seattle Indian Health Board
Somali Health Board
United Indians of All Tribes
Villa Comunitaria
Retail Partners
African Community Housing & Development
Ammana Warehouse & Grocer
Fruteria Sandoval
Harameyn Halal Grocer
HT Oaktree
Mendoza’s Mexican Mercado
Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance
Pike Place Market Foundation
Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority
Queen Anne Farmers Market
Safeway Corporation
Seattle Farmers Market Association
Tilth Alliance
Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetland Farm Stand
Interested in becoming a Fresh Bucks retail partner?
We’d love to hear from you (and especially encourage interest from women- and minority-owned businesses).
Please complete this brief form and we’ll be in touch!
