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.