Implementing a new or improving your existing EBT program

About the Materials This PowerPoint was prepared using information from… – Illinois Farmers Market LINK GUIDE. Developed By the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market. – The USDA’s SNAP at Farmers markets: A how-to handbook. – SNAP/EBT at your Farmers Market Seven Steps to Success Guide. Developed by Project for Public Spaces &Wholesome Wave – The following Case Studies. CS

CS: 61 st Street Farmers Market Market Serving Chicago’s Woodlawn community. 9am till 2pm on Saturdays Season from May 15 th - Dec 18 th vendors (all food). LINK program, WIC, and Farmers Market Coupons. Strategically located between University of Chicago & Woodlawn (food desert). The first market in Illinois to implement Wholesome Wave’s Double Value Coupon Program.

CS: City of Chicago’s Farmers Market 5 markets spread throughout Chicago. 7am - 1pm (Daley Plaza 7am-3pm) S,T,W,Th,S season from May 15 th – Oct 30 th vendors (Farmers and Merchants). Pilot year LINK program. WIC / Farmers Market coupons. Wholesome Wave DVCP

Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps

SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as "food stamps” – Administered by the USDA office of Food and Nutrition Services(FNS). – Federal program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need for good health. EBT: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows recipients to access their SNAP benefits using a card similar to a credit card.

Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps

Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps cont.. LINK: The name for the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system used in Illinois to distribute food and cash assistance benefits, including SNAP. The card used to redeem benefits is known as a Link card. Each state has a different name for its EBT system-- for example, Louisiana Purchase, Golden State Advantage (California), Oregon Trail, Lone Star (Texas), or Hoosier Works (Indiana).

SNAP Benefit recipients US

SNAP Benefit recipients Illinois

SNAP Benefit recipients Springfield 2011

SNAP Benefit $$$ in Billions as of 1/31/2011

Is a LINK Program Feasible for your Market? Concentration of LINK users in your area – Is your market at or near a low-income area? – Is your market easily accessible via public transportation? – Close to senior centers, churches, or community centers? LINK per ZIP-Illinois Dept. of Human Services.

Is a LINK Program Feasible for your Market? * Staffing and support – LINK/EBT coordinator Works the LINK booth/tent/table Keeps track of receipts, tokens, incentive program Prepares accounting reports

Is a LINK Program Feasible for your Market? – Backroom Accounting Processes checks for vendors Pays transaction fees if any Between 2-4 hours work per week

What’s the cost CS: City of Chicago Lincoln Square Market ($4828 in LINK sales 677 trans) Item Sub itemCost Start-Up costs Wireless EBT Machine$ Extra Battery$65.00 Tent$ Laminated Signs$ Table, storage bin, dolly/cart$ Sub-total $1, Operating Costs Thermal Receipt Paper$30.00 General Office Supplies$25.00 EBT transaction fees$ Sub-total $ Grand total for 2010$2, Note: does not include labor costs.This is a 21 vendor market

Voucher System – Free EBT only machine Provided by the USDA Voucher System Record LINK holder info on Voucher / receipt. Call in the to approve the amount (need Cell). Must send in vouchers to USDA for payment. Pay NO Transaction fee. Free EBT only machine Need a Phone line & Electricity. On the spot approval. Pay 2 business days. Pay NO Transaction fee. Can be used with Voucher System

What’s could your costs be. Projected Cost with free or rented machine for a 21 vendor market Item Sub itemCost Start-Up costs If free or rentedWireless EBT Machine $0.00 Extra Battery $0.00 Tent $ Laminated Signs $ Table, storage bin, dolly/cart $ Sub-total $ Operating Costs Thermal Receipt Paper $30.00 General Office Supplies $25.00 Sub-total $55.00 Grand Total 1 st year $644.82

Total Merchant Services Free, rent, or own Wireless Machine. You can get a free Wireless machine, rent, or buy. Warranty program that pays for equipment, online access to your account, and a 25% discount on Fed Ex shipments. For new markets they will even fill out your FNS application for you. Initial start-up cost $ set up fee. Average market can expect to pay $100-$150 per month for transaction, service, and rental fees.

What’s could your costs be. Projected Cost with free or rented machine for a 21 vendor market Item Sub itemCost Start-Up costs If free or rentedWireless EBT Machine $0.00 Extra Battery $0.00 Tent $ Laminated Signs $ Table, storage bin, dolly/cart $ Sub-total $ Operating Costs Thermal Receipt Paper $30.00 General Office Supplies $25.00 EBT tran fees + Machine Rental $ Sub-total $ Grand Total 1 st year $844.82

Get your Farmers/Vendors On Board Benefits of accepting SNAP/LINK – Opens up new markets. – Providing Nutrient Dense foods to underserved community. – Guaranteed Payment in a timely manner. – Give numbers for other programs across the State

CS: City of Chicago’s Farmers Market All 5 Markets average – Transaction amount $8.18 – # of transaction 30 – Total daily amount $ At Daley Plaza (highest producing Market) – Transaction amount $9.13 – # of transaction 73 – Total daily amount $671.00

CS: 61 st Street Farmers Market Link program started in 2008 and numbers steadily grew.

Basic First Steps Apply to with Food and Nutrition Service – Online application. – Turn around time less then 45 days, faster for Farmers Markets. Determine How to process payments – Free EBT only Machine from FNS Need phone line and electricity – Voucher Can combine with EBT machine – Buy, rent, or get FREE Wireless Machine from third party processer Responsible for processing fees

Why do we need a special Program for LINK? Multiple vendors, One POS device/system – With an EBT program you can use one machine to conduct transaction for multiple vendors.

How SNAP/LINK works in the Market Needs a special redemption system – Since most farmers/vendors do not have a machine at their stand for processing, a method of exchanging food for payment needs to be in place. Token, Script, or Receipt? TokenPaperReceipt

How SNAP/LINK works in the Market Token/Paper System – Purchased by the LINK user from Market Manager – Given directly to Farmer to buy food – Farmer turns tokens in to Market Manager for credit

How SNAP/LINK works in the Market Receipt System – LINK user goes to Farmer first. – Receives a “CHIT” – Goes to Market Manager to pay for items. – Takes Receipt back to Farmer to Pick up food. Farmer John $10.00 Apples

Ideas on Improving your existing program? Incentive Programs – – City of Chicago $5 a day match – 61 st Street Farmers Market $25 a day match – Of the nearly $60K redeemed at IL. FM’s over $40K came from markets with Double Value Coupon Programs. Organize a bus route/delivery Donation of phone line and electricity from host site (If possible) Flyers at local government agencies / business

Links to resources Where Fresh is and Illinois Farmers Market LINK GUIDE USDA’s SNAP at Farmers markets: ninfo ninfo SNAP/EBT at your Farmers Market Seven Steps to Success Guide. Total Merchant Services. Total Merchant Services.

For help with bringing EBT/LINK to your market contact… Corey Chatman SNAP/EBT Consultant (o) (cell) Experimental Station 6100 S. Blackstone Chicago Il 60637