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Category Archives: SNAP
2023 FMC Updated Policy Priorities
Honesta Romberger May 11, 2023As Farm Bill negotiations heat up, we would like to take the opportunity to share our revised Farm Bill priorities. This update includes priorities related to the acceptance and processing of SNAP and other federal nutrition benefits at farmers markets, specifically the need to: Provide farmers and markets with appropriate and no-cost equipment to process…
Winter Reading for Market Managers
Mykalee McGowan November 10, 2022Summer is definitely over–despite the last few green tomatoes hanging around on my drooping backyard vines–and many markets are slowing down for the season, closing up shop entirely, or moving into smaller or warmer digs for winter. The darker months ahead are a great time for lots of things: drinking hot beverages, cross-country skiing, avoiding…
2022 Farmers Market SNAP-EBT Technology Survey
Hannah Fuller September 12, 2022FMC invites markets across the US to fill out our Farmers Market SNAP and Incentives technology survey. EBT Processing Technology. We know it sees the best of us and the worst of us. With your help in filling out this survey, together we’ll learn about your market’s relationship with EBT and incentives technology. This survey…
2022 FMC Updated Policy Priorities
Ellie Wong August 11, 2022With National Farmers Market Week upon us, we wanted to share our updated policy priorities. We are actively advocating for farmers markets and revising our priorities from the beginning of the year based on input from market managers about challenges they have experienced, analysis from FMC staff, and feedback from our contacts at USDA and…
Market Managers Fight for Community Food Access with Nutrition Incentive Programs
Stephanie Fenty August 5, 2020Ever since Cheryl Whilby became the Market Manager of Schenectady Greenmarket, her dream has been to increase the purchasing power for customers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). COVID-19 added urgency to this mission and united the Schenectady, New York community to find a solution to the challenge of keeping good food accessible to vulnerable…
Growing Your Grassroots
Stephanie Fenty May 28, 2020The data that FMC has collected over the past decade and a half indicate what many suspect: farmers markets are important staples in our communities. Not only a place to buy fresh local produce, farmers markets serve as a place to connect with others and be reminded of the integral role food plays in our…
Open Letter to FNS
Stephanie Fenty September 18, 2019The following letter was sent to FNS in September of 2019 on behalf of markets and the organizations that support them around the country. See the PDF here. Brandon Lipps Deputy Under Secretary Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington DC 20250 Dear Mr. Lipps, In a…
FMC Mini-Grants Support SNAP Programs Across the Country
Stephanie Fenty March 20, 2019Last year, FMC awarded seven $500 SNAP Mini-Grants to farmers markets and farmers across the country who displayed a clear commitment to expanding SNAP programming, and connecting SNAP shoppers in their communities to healthy, affordable food. Here’s a first look at the great work resulting from the funding. Keya Wakpala Community Farmers’ Market Mission, SD…
MA Healthy Food Incentives Program So Popular that It’s Running Out of Money
Jen O'Brien March 9, 2018AMHERST, MASS. — A state program that increases access to fresh, local produce for households receiving nutritional assistance is at risk of ending, according to Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton. Sen. James Eldridge asked Beaton about talk of the end of Healthy Initiatives Program (HIP) due to rapidly spent funds at…
2018 Minnesota Summer Bucks Sign-up is Now!
Allie Vrtachnik March 6, 2018The Minnesota Farmers Market Association is accepting market applicants for the 2018 Summer Market Bucks. “Market Bucks is a Minnesota program to match SNAP-EBT customer’s dollars (up to $10 per visit) at participating Farmers’ Markets across Minnesota. In order to participate, a farmers’ market must: Have an FNS # and functioning equipment to accept EBT…
