Seattle's Fresh Bucks program helps families afford, eat more fresh foods

A University of Washington study recently found that Seattle’s Fresh Bucks program for low-income families to buy fruits and vegetables is also helping their daily intake of fresh produce.

Currently, more than 12,000 Seattle households are enrolled in Fresh Bucks.

Rising food prices can deter some families from buying fresh fruits and vegetables. But researchers found families enrolled in Fresh Bucks consumed at least three daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

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Fresh Bucks program manager Robyn Kumar was heartened by the results.

“The [UW] study really gives us a sense of the kind of impact at scale,” Kumar said.

Each month, participants receive $40 dollars to buy fresh produce at more than 40 retailers and farmers markets in Seattle. That list now includes neighborhood stores that offer culturally appropriate foods.

One of those stores is Lulu Mart, formerly Golden Hong Market in the Chinatown International District.

“We heard a lot of good feedback,” said Karia Wong, family resource director at the Chinese Information and Service Center.

Many of the clients she enrolled in the program are elderly people. Wong said before Lulu Mart was added, getting to a participating grocery store required planning bus trips or relying on family members to drive them. With Golden Hong on the list, shopping has become easier.

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“It’s like an exercise for them,” Wong said. “They could hang out, then head out and go to the grocery store together.”

Funding comes from the city’s soda tax revenue. In 2023, the city collected more than $21 million. The money is used to support programs promoting health and food access, as well as early childhood development.

Correction: An earlier version of the story referenced Lulu Mart by its previous name, Golden Hong Market.