Pennsylvania Nonprofit to Provide SNAP Card Readers to Farmers Markets
Posted on March 1st, 2010 by admin. Filed under News.A new program will provide food stamp and debit card readers to farmers markets in South Central Pa., allowing vendors to increase sales and better serve a low income market, according to Capital RC&D, a regional nonprofit organization.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Announces Availability of $5 Million in Funding for Farmers Market Promotion Program
Posted on February 26th, 2010 by admin. Filed under News.This year FMPP will emphasize three priorities during the 2010 grant period: (1) focus on the recruitment and retention of new farmers to participate at farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer farm marketing outlets; (2) develop professional expertise for farmers market managers, farmers/vendors, boards and organizations to effectively manage and/or operate farmers markets and other direct marketing enterprises; and (3) improve food access in local, rural and underserved communities to promote the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms.
Food & Nutrition Service Takes Steps to Streamline SNAP Procedures for Farmers Markets
Posted on February 25th, 2010 by admin. Filed under News.On February 24th, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) headquarters issued a memo to all FNS Field Operations Directors throughout the United States, detailing new procedures for the implementation of scrip and incentive programs at farmers markets. Jeff Cohen, Director of the Benefits Redemption Division at FNS spelled out these new procedures for farmers markets SNAP retailers.
FMC Comments on Proposed $4 Million Provision for Farmers Market SNAP
Posted on February 18th, 2010 by admin. Filed under News.The Administration’s 2011 budget requests $4 million for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to “provide point of sale terminals to all farmers’ markets nationally that cannot currently redeem SNAP benefits.” As the budget request states, ensuring farmers markets have point of sales devices will substantially increase the redemption of SNAP benefits at these outlets. In 2009, only .07% of all SNAP sales (in dollars) occurred at the fewer than 1,000 farmers markets currently accepting it. We know that we as a nation can do better. We agree with the President that “Nutrition education and human resource capacity to continue to be a key part of the SNAP to help low income households improve their nutrition levels.”
Using the USDA’s New U.S. Food Environment Atlas: Opportunities for Farmers Market Supporters
Posted on February 16th, 2010 by admin. Filed under News.Launched last week, the USDA’s new U.S. Food Environment Atlas graphically presents ninety food-related indicators—ranging from access to grocery stores to farmers markets per capita to gallons of soft drinks consumed at home—on an interactive, color-coded map of the United States.