Introducing EBT and Credit/Debit card access as new revenue streams to local farmers' markets

Introduction: When the national food supplement program moved from a paper coupon system to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, it relieved many stressors and inefficiencies in the emergency food system. Unfortunately, without possession of an EBT machine or Internet access, producers and consumers operating in strictly cash-based systems, such as open air farmers markets, ended up unintentionally cut out of the system. Furthermore, it enacted an additional barrier to access to fresh, local and healthy foods among low-income populations.

Methods: During the past year in Portland, Maine (population 66,194), sentiment among local farmers to solve the problem reached a tipping point. This coincided with a Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant that the City's Public Health Division received to reduce obesity rates by increasing physical activity and promoting healthy eating. In July 2011, the City, the Farmers' Market Association and Cultivating Community – a local urban agriculture organization – initiated a pilot project to increase the number of food vendors at Portland's Farmers' Markets who accepted EBT and credit/debit cards. With a central access point, a “Market Money” system was created whereby consumers at the Markets can use credit/debit or EBT cards to obtain tokens to then purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

Results and Discussion: This season (July-November 2011), during the two weekly farmers' markets, over $17,000 worth of produce purchases were made with EBT cards, and $33,000 with debit/credit cards. This has resulted in new money for the vendors and increased access to fresh, local produce by SNAP recipients.