photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

As the federal shutdown threatens the largest food assistance programs in the country, local donors have stepped up to save one local effort for at least several more weeks, leaders of the Lawrence Farmers Market said.

Claire Wineman, the market manager for the Lawrence Farmers Market, said the market was able to raise funding from the “generous community” to support its “Double Up Protein Bucks” program through the rest of the farmer’s market season, which runs until Nov. 22. The program is similar to a regional program called Double Up Food Bucks, but Wineman said this program is specific to the Lawrence Farmers Market and the Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market and is funded through grants and donations.

With the program, market patrons who have used SNAP funds at the market during this year can receive 25 dollars worth of red tokens to spend at the market. The red tokens can be used to purchase proteins like meat, eggs, nuts, dried beans and dairy from vendors.

Keeping that program going is particularly important as the federal shutdown threatens many other food assistance efforts. Nearly 190,000 Kansans and 42 million Americans take part in the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Due to the federal government shutdown, funding on the program is set to dry up on Saturday, although a pair of recent federal court rulings has raised the possibility funding in some form may continue.

Wineman said the market was “well positioned” to provide community assistance in the face of the lapse of benefits.

Not only is this program a way to ensure that people who use SNAP can be fed during the current funding lapse, but it’s a way to support the entire food system, supporters have said. As the Journal-World reported, Emily Lysen, the market’s director of development, gave a presentation during a food policy workshop about how a loss in SNAP funding can create a “crisis to the food system.” Wineman said in this case, the program is not only helping the consumers, but also helping the local vendors who raise the livestock or other products that are part of the protein program.

Wineman said continuing this Double Up Protein Bucks program can ensure that vendors can get direct support in the face of the lapse.

“If one part of our food system breaks down, the whole thing breaks down,” Wineman said. “The whole funding lapse is going to shake the entire food system.”

Wineman also said the market is exploring other ways to help provide support for people facing hunger, including a potential food pantry that will be held in partnership with Just Food during the market on Saturday, Nov. 8. Wineman said organizers are still “ironing out the details” for that event, but will release more information when it becomes available.

Wineman said despite the uncertainty with the loss of SNAP funding, she has felt fortunate to be in a position to work to fill in gaps for people potentially facing hunger. She said the work has been possible because the Douglas County community has been so supportive of their efforts.

“It’s amazing to see how people from all walks of life have wanted to step up and find a way to help,” Wineman said. “We understand at the farmer’s market we are just one small piece in this big system… (but) we’re really fortunate to serve this community.”