A story on the website, Healthline, gave seven benefits to eating locally grown food.

Included in the list were facts like: Local food is very fresh, often more nutritious, and it is beneficial to the environment. (check out the story here)

Add in the fact that buying from neighbors is a great way to stimulate the local economy and there’s plenty of reasons to support our local farmers market.

Now, there’s another reason. Participants in North Carolina’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can double their money at the local farmers market.

Thanks to a grant through the Foothills Chamber, SNAP benefits can be spent on any edible item at the market, included fruit and vegetable starter plants and herbs.

Here’s a list of items available on a regular basis at the farmers market:

• Eggs
• Meats
• microgreens
• fresh winter greens
• baked goods, such as pies, breads, and cookies 
• dried fruits and vegetables
• soups
• canned items, such as salsa, jams, and jellies
• Honey

Winter farmers markets are continuing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through April.

The Columbus Winter Market, which is held at Iron Key Brewing (135 Locust St. in Columbus), occur on the first and third Saturdays of the month.

The Saluda Winter Market, which is held at the Saluda Center (64 Greenville St. in Saluda), are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.