The Rotary Club of Rockport is proud to support financially the Rockport Farmer’s Market in their initiative to combat food insecurity. The Rockport Farmers Market has made significant strides in supporting low-income families through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In 2024, SNAP customers visited the Rockport Farmers Market 59 times, demonstrating the community's reliance on this essential support. With the help of local businesses and community partners, Rockport Exchange can offer a unique 2:1 match program, an initiative that few farmers markets offer. For every dollar a SNAP customer spends, up to $10, Rockport Exchange will double their funds by providing up to $20 in SNAP matching dollars. This means that if a customer spends $10, they will receive an additional $20, providing a total of $30 to buy healthy food. In 2024 alone, they distributed $1,124 to SNAP shoppers. This match has been possible with additional support from local businesses such as Cape Ann Savings Bank, John Tarr Store, Open Book Systems, Institution for Savings, and the Inns of Rockport. Many community partners, including Rockport Police Department, Chamber of Commerce, First Baptist Church, Rockport Music, and the Town of Rockport Select Board are also integral in the mission to provide support for those with food insecurity.
The need for such programs is underscored by the economic landscape on Cape Ann. A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, with approximately 10.4% of residents living in poverty between 2019-2023. In Essex County overall, the situation is equally concerning, with 9% of residents having incomes below the poverty level, including 4% with incomes less than half of the poverty level. Alarmingly, about 13% of children under 18 in Essex County were living in poverty during 2017-21.
The aim in offering SNAP at the Rockport Exchange is to ensure that more people can access additional food resources and help reduce food shortfall in our community.