FARMERS MARKETS AND SNAP/EBT Different than the pop up structure Inception Amy Willis Broome County Regional Farmers Market Manager

SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Broome County SNAP recipients for 2017 - 31,000ppl 500-1000 Customers in Attendance On A Given Saturday Average of 10% Using Benefits (more during summer) Nutrition Educators are Recruiting for SNAP Eligible Participants by doing outreach at places such as Food Pantries, WIC offices and DSS. They are also doing programming in the city schools.

Why Does it Work? Nutrition Educators On Site- Monthly during Winter and weekly during Summer. Providing samples and recipes using what’s in season. On the Bus Line # 5 A Community of Acceptance- Welcoming atmosphere where the farming vendors often understand all too well the struggle to make ends meet. They give back. Remove the Stigma- purchasing reusable pouches for tokens/coupons. Communicating and helping walk through the process for first time or any that are uncomfortable. Introducing them to vendors if need be. Educate benefitted users with all options at market. Collaborating with local partners to be a pilot location for introducing new programs (Fruit and Vegetable Rx). Having the ability to stack benefits for added funds to use.

Impact to Community and Consumers So, What’s the Impact? Impact to Farmers Impact to Community and Consumers The ability to diversify customer base Farmer education on all accepted benefits. Knowledge expanded on what is offered. Personal relationships being built. Increased access to farm fresh products. Ability for all levels of consumers to show (SNAP & EBT  credit cards) Opportunity to “Know Your Farmer.” This often leads to farmers giving “more” which corporations cannot do.

Community Partners Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County Health Department Department of Agriculture and Markets Rural Health Network Binghamton Food Rescue Chow Farmers Market Federation Department of Social Services

This is a first year market!! Redemption Rates $5900.00 SNAP/ EBT $7600.00 Fruit and Veggie RX $2700.00 Fresh Connect Coupon Redemption 2017 This is a first year market!! *WIC is submitted by the Farmers themselves and I did not collect this information for 2017

Education

Market Days are the Best Days…

I can be reached by at AW738@cornell.edu or Thank you!! I can be reached by at AW738@cornell.edu or 607-584-5019 with any questions or comments regarding the Broome County Regional Farmers Market *Like us on Facebook!*