JACKSON, Wyo. — Slow Food in the Tetons is extending its “Local Food Discount Program” (LFD) to the Winter People’s Market series after a successful pilot launch in the summer of 2022.
The grant-funded discount program is open to anyone who finds cost to be a barrier to purchasing locally-produced food.
During the summer pilot phase, the discounted transactions were handled through Slow Food’s Farm Stand and Online Marketplace programs. The expansion to the Winter People’s Market allows shoppers to select a discount in real-time, on purchases made directly from farmers, ranchers and other local food producers.
“The relationship between customers and producers is an important aspect of a strong community food system, so it’s exciting to put these benefits directly into their hands.”
Mari Allan Hanna, Slow Food Program Director.
While this program is intended to benefit those in need, there is no qualification process or registration requirement. Signs displayed by sellers help identify which booths are participating, and customers are invited to select a 0%, 10%, 25% or 50% discount on any or all food purchases. Participants and program managers value the flexible structure.
“Any market attendee has the power to decide whether a discount would be helpful and at what level,” explains Charlotte Walker, Slow Food Communications and Outreach Manager.
Funded by a continuing grant from the Hughes Charitable Foundation, the LFD program ensures that the producers are fully reimbursed for the discounts they offer. Feedback from vendors’ first experiences was encouraging.
“The Local Food Discount program was a very positive experience. The customers benefited from easier access to a variety of local foods, and my small business benefited from increased exposure to new customers.”
Anna Wescott of Elysian Bakery in Alpine.
Slow Food staff reported that 100% of food vendors opted into the program at the December market.
The 2023 Winter People’s Market series, featuring 40+ local food producers and artisans, runs every third Saturday of the month at The Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center from 1-4 p.m. Upcoming market dates include Saturday, Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 18. Shoppers can access the LFD program on a weekly basis through the Slow Food Online Marketplace, where grant funding also supports discounts on online purchases from local food vendors. More information is available here.
