SNAP at Farmers’ Markets

Recently, there has been a push to get farmers’ markets to accept SNAP benefits. The policy has seen an enthusiastic response, with the total value of SNAP redemptions at farmers’ markets and food stands reaching $16.6 million in 2012–a 500% increase from 2008. Today, there are more than 3,200 farmers’ markets and stands accepting EBT cards across the country.

Research on SNAP and Farmers’ Markets

• Data on farmers’ markets that accept SNAP
• “Real Food, Real Choice” report on the benefits of and barriers to SNAP and farmers’ markets
• CitySeed case study on farmers’ markets in Connecticut
• USDA-funded University of Kentucky report on EBT and farmers’ markets
• EBT in Farmers’ Markets: Report to Congress

Farmers’ Markets Resources

• USDA resources for farmers’ markets that want to participate in SNAP
• SNAP EBT Handbook for Farmers’ Markets
• Directory of farmers’ markets around the country

For More Information, Check Out These Organizations:

• Fair Food Network
• The Food Project
• New York City Department of Health
• Portland Farmers Market
• Farmers Market Coalition
• Farmers Market Federation of New York
• SNAP to Market
• The Food Trust
• Seattle Farmers Market
• Florida Organic Growers
• Wholesome Wave

Innovative Projects on Farmers’ Markets and SNAP

• Double Up Food Bucks matches up to $20 in farmers’ market purchases by SNAP users at participating Michigan farmers’ markets.
• Boston Bounty Bucks funds half of each EBT purchase under $20, and contributes $10 toward larger purchases.
• Health Bucks offers a free $2 coupon for every $5 of SNAP benefits spent at participating New York City farmers’ markets.
• Fresh Exchange offers a dollar-for-dollar match for up to $5 of SNAP benefits spent at farmers’ markets in Portland, Oregon.
• Evanston, Illinois offers a dollar-for-dollar match up to $50 for SNAP benefits spent at downtown farmers’ markets.
• The Fresh Bucks incentive program provides a dollar for dollar match (in $2 increments) for EBT/SNAP benefits at Seattle Farmers Markets year-round
• Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program, which matches customers’ federal nutrition assistance benefits, like CalFresh and WIC, at farmers’ markets.