Letter: Farmers markets can increase sales by accepting these benefits –

To the editor:

Local farmers markets, direct-market farmers, and farm stands that are not registered to accept benefits or vouchers from customers might be leaving money on the table.

Three of these benefits are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Many community members are eligible for and have these benefits and might wish to shop at farm stands or farmers markets this season. But if vendors are not registered, those sales won’t happen. Farm businesses, farmers markets, and shoppers all miss out.

Producers who sell at farmers markets or through farm stands, and farmers market managers who wish to increase their sales through accepting these benefits must register separately with each program.

A resource available to farmers and markets who wish to register to accept SNAP benefits is the MarketLink program, established by the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs. MarketLink works nationally and provides support for completing SNAP paperwork at no cost.

State departments of agriculture manage WIC and SFMNP registration, and registration processes vary by state.

Finally, several states offer additional funding called “Double Up Food Bucks” to support direct-market farmers and farmers markets. These are funds offered at point of sale to double the value of SNAP benefits. This increases the amount of local foods people can purchase, benefiting both them and the vendor. Interested farmers and markets should contact their state Department of Agriculture to learn more.

Anna Johnson
Farm and community manager
Center for Rural Affairs
Lyons, NE

Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, non-profit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities.