1. SNAP in Farmers Markets: State Policies and Supportive Programs
Statewide Programs Supporting SNAP in Farmers Markets
Iowa – In 2004, the Iowa Food Policy Council, commissioned by then Governor Tom Vilsack, urged the
Department of Human Services (DHS) to explore how to expand the Food Assistance Program in farmers
markets. In 2005, Iowa DHS funded the leased or rented machine fees, SNAP transaction fees and SNAP
related monthly fees for farmers in part by a regular 50/50 match on SNAP administration.
New York – Food stamp EBT programs began in 2002 by providing wireless card machines to farmers.
Sales were relatively flat due to several variables such as lack of transmission infrastructure causing
dropped signals and minimal marketing to SNAP shoppers. In 2005, the state moved towards a central
terminal system and a coordinated marketing program between state agencies, farmers market
association and community partners. Starting in 2007, sales gained momentum starting at $150,000 and
growing to $1.5 million by 2010.
Michigan- Partnering with C.S. Mott Foundation, the Ruth Mott Foundation, and the Fair Food Network,
Michigan farmers markets are switching to a wireless electronic payment system for both the Bridge Card
(SNAP) and a double bucks reward card. The match is dollar for dollar up to $20 per day.
Massachusetts- Grants totaling $50,000 were made possible by a partnership between the Department of
Agricultural Resources (DAR) and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), are for the purchase
or rental of wireless point-of-sale terminals to process SNAP benefits through the Electronic Benefits
Transfer (EBT) system. Grants also fund transaction fees, outreach programs for SNAP participants,
promotional flyers and posters, and incentives to encourage SNAP participants to use their benefits at
Massachusetts farmers' markets.
Pennsylvania- The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is making 145 wireless electronic benefit
transfer (EBT) machines available for Pennsylvania farmers markets and farm stands accepting SNAP
benefits. This program does not pay for any related monthly fees.
Georgia -The Georgia Department of Human Services is participating with Wholesome Wave of Georgia
in their “Nourishing Neighborhoods” campaign to offer additional fresh fruits and vegetables to SNAP
clients shopping in farmers markets. The goal of the campaign is to provide locally grown, healthy,
sustainable foods to low income families by offering Double Value matching dollars.
Minnesota - A state Specialty Crop grant is helping the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association provide
SNAP in eight new farmers markets, bringing the total to 13 markets in all. (Star Tribune, April 30, 2011)
Strengthening farmers markets for the benefit
of farmers, consumers, and communities.

2. Wisconsin - Three Wisconsin farmers markets will be part of a two-year study measuring SNAP/Food
Stamp recipient access to healthy food. The University of Wisconsin Extension Service/USDA study will
provide these markets with the equipment and materials needed to accept SNAP/Food Stamps, known as
FoodShare in the state. (Journal Sentinel, April 26, 2011)
Legislation Supporting SNAP in Farmers Markets
Washington - SB 6483 - In 2008, the Washington State legislature passed the “Local Farms Healthy Kids
Act.” This set of new food system policies was advanced by a broad coalition representing
environmentalists, public health and school advocates, and sustainable agriculture folks. The legislation
included benefits for farmers markets, food banks, farm to school and school gardens. One piece of the
legislation provided $50,000 for the purchase of wireless technology to allow farmers market to accept
both food stamps, debit and credit cards. This Farmer Market Technology Program spawned two more
grant project with Specialty Crop grants and a three year WSU Extension research grant.
Illinois - HB 4756 - Under the directives of the act, the Illinois Department of Human Services and
Department of Agriculture will implement a program “to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables
and other LINK eligible food products, including quality meat and dairy, for all Illinois residents by
allowing LINK program participants to redeem their SNAP benefits at farmers markets. As part of this
program, a Farmers Market Technology Improvement Fund will fund: 1) The purchase or rental of
wireless point of sale terminals capable of processing SNAP benefits disbursed under the LINK program,
2) Monthly or transaction fees associated with LINK card transactions. No fees related to credit or debit
transactions will be reimbursed, 3) Outreach to LINK program participants.
California -AB 537 - Legislation would require farmers markets “that do not have an EBT system in place
by January 1, 2012, to designate or assign an interested Food Nutrition Service (FNS)-authorized
organization to operate an EBT acceptance system in the market, as specified. The bill would require the
State Department of Social Services to consider and solicit input from the market prior to making a
designation or assignment authorized under the bill, to avoid potential conflicts, as specified.” (California
General Assembly, 2010).
Resources
USDA Strategic Plan –
http://www.ocfo.usda.gov/usdasp/sp2010/sp2010.pdf
Farmers Market SNAP Sales Soar in 2010 -
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/snap-sales-soar-2010
FMC Explores Implications of IRS Electronic Payment Reporting Requirement
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/6050w-reporting-delay
Real Food Real Choice: Connecting SNAP Recipients with Farmers Markets
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/real-food-real-choice
FNS Funds Research to Better Understand Farmers Markets
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/fns-funds-research
Letter to Congress RE: $4 million
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/joinus/policy
Strengthening farmers markets for the benefit
of farmers, consumers, and communities.

3. Resource List | November 5, 2011
SNAP in Farmers Markets: What have we learned? Where are we going
Real Food Real Choice: Connecting SNAP Recipients with Farmers Markets
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/real-food-real-choice
Our SNAP in Farmers Market Progress Report
FMC 2010 Fiscal Year Report
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/2010-fiscal-year-report-is-published
The Forks in the Road: SNAP in Farmers Market Strategies
USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap.htm
USDA Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) SNAP Permits
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/Contacts/FieldOffices.htm
USDA SNAP application for Farmers Markets
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt/fm.htm (not tailored to Farmers Markets specifically)
Oregon Farmers Market Association EBT Resources
http://www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/EBT/resources.html
THE SQUARE
http://squareup.com/
The Cultural Significance of Farmers Markets
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/the-cultural-significance-of-farmers-markets
Mobile Market +APP – Nova Dia Group
Ricky Aviles raviles@novodiagroup.com
TSYS Merchant Solutions-Rental Machine Options
Jason Butts jbutts@tsys.com
The Future of Farmers Markets: Evolving Technology to Connect Farmers to Food Assistance
Recipients
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/the-future-of-farmers-markets-evolving-technology-to-connect-
farmers-to-food-assistance-recipients
Developing and Changing Policies that Impact SNAP in Farmers Markets
USDA Strategic Plan
http://www.ocfo.usda.gov/usdasp/sp2010/sp2010.pdf
Farmers Market SNAP Sales Soar in 2010
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/snap-sales-soar-2010
FMC Explores Implications of IRS Electronic Payment Reporting Requirement
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/6050w-reporting-delay
Webinar video: http://youtu.be/oMN5sPjJnoY

4. FNS Funds Research to Better Understand Farmers Markets
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/fns-funds-research
Letter to Congress RE: $4 million
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/joinus/policy
PPS 7 Steps to Success
http://pps.org/store/featured-items/snapebt-at-your-farmers-market-seven-steps-to-success/
Resource for jurisdictions interested in re-evaluating sanitation policies related to farmers markets
http://www.marketumbrella.org/index.php?page=manual-field-to-table
Marketumbrella.org: SEED economic impact of markets
http://marketumbrella.org/marketshare/seed
County-Specific Obesity, Diabetes, and Physical Inactivity Prevalence Data (CDC)
www.cdc.govobesitydatatrends.htmls_cid=govD_dnpao_079&source=govdelivery#County
Food Environment Atlas (USDA)
http://www.ers.usda.gov/foodatlas/
Food Desert Locator (USDA)
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/foodDesert/
National Farmers Market Directory
http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets/
Public Health Law and Policy: Establishing Land Use Protections for Farmers' Markets
http://www.nplanonline.org/nplan/products/establishing-land-use-protections-farmers-markets
Local Farms, Healthy Kids Act (2008, WA)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/6483-
S2.PL.pdf
Identifying and Enriching Community Partnerships
Building Smart Communities through Network Weaving
by Valdis Krebs and June Holley
Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam
Engaging the Community for Farmers Market Success by NOFA Vermont
www.nofavt.org/sites/default/files/Community%20Support%20Manual.pdf
Farmers markets are good for everyone. Join us to make them even better.
farmers ● consumers ● communities
P.O. Box 504 ● Charlottesville, VA ● 22902
info@farmersmarketcoalition.org ● 434-984-0175 ● 877-FMC-0553 ● www.farmersmarketcoalition.org

5. SNAP at Farmers Markets:
Logistics, Policies, Partners,
and Evaluating Success
Saturday 11/5, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
I. Introductions - Who is in the Room? 9:00 - 9:20am
II. SNAP in Farmers Market - What we have learned 9:20 - 9:45am
III. Begin with the End in Mind - What is Success? 9:45 - 10:15am
BREAK - 10:15 – 10:30
IV. The Forks in the Road - Decisions on How to Implement SNAP in
Farmers Markets 10:30 - 11:15am
V. Developing and changing policy that impact SNAP in Farmers Markets
Informing Local, State and Federal Policy 11:15am-12:00pm
LUNCH - 12:00 - 1:00
VI. Identifying and enriching community partners relationships 1:00 - 2:30pm
BREAK - 2:30 - 2:45
VII. The SNAP in Farmers Market Progress Report - What can we measure
from what we learned? 2:45-3:30pm
VIII. Open Discussion - 3:30 - 4:00
Stacy Miller Jean Hamilton
Farmers Market Coalition Northeast Organic Farming Association-VT
434-984-0175 jean@nofavt.org
stacy@farmersmarketcoaltiio 802-434-4122
n.org
Darlene Wolnik
Suzanne Briggs darwolnik@gmail.com
Farmers Market Coalition 504-3436365
sbriggs@att.net
503-288-0824 Jezra Thompson
Roots of Change
jezra@rootsofchange.org
jezrathompson@gmail.com