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I passed up the $5 carton of blueberries at the greenmarket yesterday because I knew I wouldn't feel right eating a $5 carton, like I'd be mad if I found one that was a little squished or something. I went to the local fruit and veggie place today and bought the same amount for $1.50. Crisp and juicy. And I saved $3.50.
What I did buy from the greenmarket was corn, which IMO should be as fresh-picked as possible, and I also bought apples from the orchard. Grocery store apples don't cut it.
But besides a few specialty items, I think similar produce can be purchased at local stores much more cheaply than at the greenmarket.
It would be nice if they didn't have this problem with the technology for SNAP, but I don't know if it's really a deal-breaker in terms of whether people can eat healthily or not.
I passed up the $5 carton of blueberries at the greenmarket yesterday because I knew I wouldn't feel right eating a $5 carton, like I'd be mad if I found one that was a little squished or something. I went to the local fruit and veggie place today and bought the same amount for $1.50. Crisp and juicy. And I saved $3.50.
What I did buy from the greenmarket was corn, which IMO should be as fresh-picked as possible, and I also bought apples from the orchard. Grocery store apples don't cut it.
But besides a few specialty items, I think similar produce can be purchased at local stores much more cheaply than at the greenmarket.
It would be nice if they didn't have this problem with the technology for SNAP, but I don't know if it's really a deal-breaker in terms of wheth,er people can eat healthily or not.
You've hit the main point of this discussion. OP is trying to paint a picture where the poor are actively being denied fresh fruits and vegetables when the reality is, as another described, it's just a train ride away. Plenty of people, including SNAP recipients, travel to get the food they want everyday.
It’s not just a NYC issue but rather nationwide. And it depends on the neighborhood whether this might be an obstacle in terms of access to fresh fruits and vegetables. In a working class/immigrant neighborhood, probably not a big deal. There are usually plenty of other local options. Poor neighborhoods? Maybe it will be an issue. The local markets may not be well stocked and presumably low income folks, especially those with young kids, have less time to run around town in search of higher quality food.
I think another thing to consider is the potential impact on Greenmarket vendor revenues. And would certain markets (those in low income neighborhoods) even exist if SNAP payments were not accepted?
-About 1.7 million NYC residents are on SNAP.
-Roughly 20,000 individual SNAP recepients shop at GrowNYC markets (50 sites overall) for a total of 60,000 transactions a year and $1 million spent on fresh food.
-SNAP users get a bonus of $2 for every $5 they spend at these markets. This 40% incentive can only be used on fruits and vegetables. Roughly $400k was redeemed last year.
-Roughly 1/3 of all SNAP redemptions happened at the Union Square market, probably because it is the most accessible.
-Not included in the above figures are an additional 30 sites (Youthmarkets and distribution sites for GrowNYC’s Fresh Food Boxes that serve underserved neighborhoods).
$9??? LMAO... I pay $3.99 for a container of organic cherry tomatoes "Made in USA" from Whole Foods. Always local...
Even in January...that's when you know someone is pissing on your shoe and calling it rain.
Nothing like that mid-Winter LOCAL produce.
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LMAO... I pay $3.99 for a container of organic cherry tomatoes "Made in USA" from Whole Foods. Always local... 
