SNAP EBT Equipment Program

Program Impact
In 2014, the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) was contracted by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to administer the Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program, which provides funding for new EBT equipment and related service fees to farmers markets and direct marketing farmers (DMFs) who participate in at least one farmers market. When the program closed in November 2017, FMC had approved 1,771 applicants to the Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program; of these, 1,005 were farmers markets and 744 were eligible direct marketing farmers. Applicants came from 48 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and represented both rural and urban market settings.

Resources Available Today
Please note FMC closed their application portal on November 21, 2017, and USDA FNS has chosen a new contractor to administer the program. Farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers interested in obtaining equipment through the new program can do so by following this link to learn more about Marketlink.

There are several states offering Free Wireless EBT Equipment to eligible markets and farmers. *For changes to this list, or to add additional information, please email info@farmersmarketcoalition.org

Arkansas

California

  • California offers free wireless EBT Equipment to eligible farmers markets and farmers
  • Contact Dianne Padilla Bates: Dianne.Padilla-Bates@dss.ca.gov,  (916) 654-1396

Colorado

  • Colorado has limited resources for free wireless equipment available on a first-come first-serve basis
  • Contact Wendy Moschetti, (720) 353–4120 x 216, wendymoschetti@livewellcolorado.org

Hawaii

  • Hawaii provides a free wireless EBT terminal to qualifying farmers markets.
  • Contact Sabrina Young (syoung@dhs.hawaii.gov) at DHS

Idaho

  • The ID Department of Health and Welfare provides free wireless EBT terminals to eligible farmers markets, and covers both wireless and transaction fees associated with managing the SNAP program.
  • Contact Eileen Stachowski at info@idahofma.org, 208.614.2292

Illinois

Indiana

  • The IN Family and Social Services Administration can provide free wireless terminals to eligible farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers. Wireless fees, monthly service fees, data plan fees, and EBT transaction fees are included in the contract, at no cost to the farmer’s markets and direct market farmers. Program support materials (banners) are available through the Indiana State Department of Health
  • Contact Angela Albin, angela.albin@fssa.in.gov, 317-232-7645

Michigan

  • Michigan has made limited funds available for wireless EBT equipment for eligible markets and farmers
  • Contact Amanda Shreve, (517) 432-3381, amanda@mifma.org

Minnesota

  • Minnesota provides a free wireless EBT terminal to qualifying farmers markets.
  • Contact Karie Vogel (Karie.L.Voger@state.mn.us ) at DHS.

North Dakota

  • ND reimburses up to $1,200 for the equipment and signage.
  • Contact Deb Kramer, debkramer@nd.gov, (701) 328-2328

North Carolina

  • NC has an agreement with FIS where qualified farmers markets can obtain wireless equipment at no fee.  While the equipment is covered by the state, all ongoing fees are the responsibility of the market.
  • Contact David F. Steele, 919-527-6429, David.Steele@dhhs.nc.gov

Oklahoma

  • OK provides one free wireless EBT terminal to each eligible market or direct to market farmer.
  • Contact Thomas Pennington, Thomas.Pennington@okdhs.org

For information on starting and promoting a SNAP program at your market, please visit our SNAP Guide for Farmers Markets.

The Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School (CAFS) partnered with FMC and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) to create the Farmers Market Legal Toolkit– an incredibly helpful and extensive website detailing legal resources and best practice recommendations for Farmers Markets. The website includes information on choosing a business structure, implementing SNAP/EBT and managing risks.

 

Questions?
Email: info@farmersmarketcoalition.org