Knox Speaks at Mayor Harrell’s Press Conference on Significant Investment in Food Access in 2026 Budget
Posted: 9/4/2025 (CSDE Research)
On Thursday, September 4th, Mayor Bruce Harrell gave a press conference at the Lake City Farmers Market to preview millions in proposed investments as part of his 2026 budget, focused on expanding access to healthy, affordable food across Seattle. Part of that investment is the Fresh Bucks Program, a $40/month healthy food program that helps Seattle neighbors afford fruits and vegetables. Mayor Harrell proposed an expansion of Fresh Bucks with a $6 million investment that would expand the monthly stipend by 50% to $60/month, get the 4,000 people who are waiting to be a part of this program off the waitlist, and take the program participants from 12,000 to 16,000. At the press conference, CSDE UW Affiliate Melissa Knox (Economics) shared her and her team’s research findings on the Fresh Bucks program. Dr. Knox and team surveyed around 2,000 households who were part of the program or on the waitlist and found findings such as Fresh Bucks households experience a 31% higher rate of food security. Dr. Knox states, “at the end of the day, our study, our numbers, told a pretty simple story. When Seattle invests in programs like Fresh Bucks, they make it possible for individuals and families to worry less where their next meals are coming from, and they can focus more on living a healthier life.” To watch the full press conference and to listen to Dr. Knox’s findings, visit this link.