NY: GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES PLAN TO PROTECT SNAP RECIPIENTS’ ACCESS TO FARMERS MARKETS
Posted On: July 27, 2018
Inaction by the Federal Government Would Have Left 2.8 Million New Yorkers Unable to Use SNAP Benefits to Purchase Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at Farmers’ Markets
New York State’s Agreement with Novo Dia Ensures SNAP Participants’ Use of EBT Benefits at New York Farmers’ Markets
Solution Paves the Way for Farmers’ Markets in 49 States to Continue SNAP Transactions
Nearly $3.4 Million SNAP Benefits Processed Through Over 221,000 Transactions in New York, Benefiting Local Farms
Diane Eggert, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Federation of NY, said, “Losing access to SNAP through the Novo Dia Group would have been devastating to farmers’ markets. Low income consumers would lose access to fresh, healthy and locally grown foods, while our state’s farmers would have lost significant income that is critical to supporting our family farmers. We applaud Governor Cuomo’s quick action in shoring up Novo Dia Group for the remainder of the market season and making it possible for SNAP to be used at farmers’ markets. We also thank a team of partners within New York, as well as the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs for working hard to make this possible. This extension for Novo Dia Group will be used to find a permanent solution to maintaining Mobile Market Plus.”
Josh Wiles, President of the Novo Dia Group, said, “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to both the Farmers Market Federation of New York, as well as the State of New York. Their level of support and the speed in which they were able to put this partnership together has been extraordinary. This agreement allows not only New York Farmers’ Markets, but all users of Mobile Market+ nationwide, to continue operating without any service disruption.”
