Farmers Market Uptake of Food Assistance Programs in East Tennessee

background: Since 2004, the number of farmers markets in the United States has risen nearly 80 percent. Tennessee leads the country in growth, with only 48 markets in 1994 to 119 markets in 2014.  Farmers markets are convenient places for consumers to purchase locally grown produce and other foods, and represent a sustainable strategy to reduce food insecurity. However the limited acceptance of government food assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a barrier that produces unequal access to market products for SNAP beneficiaries.  There is a dearth of published evidence to explain the limited SNAP acceptance at farmers markets. This project aimed to fill this gap; to identify and describe the barriers to market’s acceptance of SNAP.

methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 area market managers, vendors and other key stakeholders. Interviews were transcribed and coded for themes.      

results: Multiple barriers exist for SNAP implementation at markets including administrative and time limitations, stigma from market vendors against SNAP beneficiaries, and resistance to invasive and burdensome requirements of the USDA SNAP application.      

conclusions:  SNAP acceptance at farmer’s markets is a complex issue, especially for small, rural markets.  If farmers markets are to serve as sustainable resources to eliminate food insecurity, these issues must be addressed so that SNAP can be accepted. Successful implementation of SNAP at rural markets requires increased administrative support and vendor education about SNAP and its beneficiaries.  A revised USDA SNAP application process for farmers markets should also be considered.