People receiving SNAP and D-SNAP benefits can now buy double the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets organized at five Houston Health Department multi-service centers.

The Houston Health Foundation is funding the Healthy Houston Bucks incentive program to double SNAP and D-SNAP benefits at the Get Moving Houston Farmers’ Markets in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The funding allows the farmers’ markets to continue through November, extending a regular market season that runs April through September.

Customers using SNAP and D-SNAP benefits to buy items at the markets will receive the dollar equivalent of their purchases in Healthy Houston Bucks to spend on fruits and vegetables. A customer that spends $10 in SNAP or D-SNAP benefits will receive an extra $10 in Healthy Houston Bucks to spend at the markets.

All farmers’ markets are set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their locations and dates are:

Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market Street, Oct. 26 and Nov. 9,

Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center, 3810 W. Fuqua Street, Oct. 19 and Nov. 2,

Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding Street, Oct. 24 and Nov. 7,

Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive, Oct. 31 and Nov. 14 and

Acres Home Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery, Nov. 16.

SNAP, short for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps people buy food for good health. D-SNAP provides short-term food benefits for eligible families recovering from a disaster.

The department started its farmers’ markets initiative in 2011 to provide easier access to affordable fruits and vegetables in Houston communities considered food deserts because they are underserved by grocery stores and other fresh food outlets. Fruits and vegetables help prevent and delay the start of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer.