NEAR Cash
The Cooperage Project and Wayne County partners have developed an incentive program for community members to shop at our local farmers’ markets. NEAR (Nutrition Education Awareness Rewards) Cash is a nutrition rewards program to support our local food system’s consumers and producers.
Farmers and Producers:
The NEAR Cash (Nutrition Education Awareness Rewards) program is offered to consumers as an incentive to purchase fresh and local products. NEAR Cash is a grant funded program administered by The Cooperage Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and aims to support a robust local food system that fosters community connections and health for all. It was launched at The Main Street Farmers Market in 2021 and has expanded from there. Once a farmer or producer enrolls in the NEAR Cash program, they are eligible to accept the vouchers at any of the markets they attend (in other words, this is administered at the vendor level, not the market level). NEAR Cash is distributed to community members at Cooperage Project programs like Senior Gathering and Romping Radishes, as well as through some partner programs.
Consumers:
- Attend cooking classes, farm tours, Senior Gatherings, and more hosted by our partners to receive NEAR Cash vouchers.
- SNAP/EBT card holders can convert $10 into NEAR Cash vouchers, and get a $10 match for a future purchase!Â
- NEAR Cash is not redeemable for actual cash, and no change may be given for NEAR Cash purchases.
