Volunteer Training SNAP/Credit/Debit At the Market

Brief Snapshot of Training  Intro to the Market  Volunteer Responsibilities  The Token System  Lingo  Making Transactions  End of Market Duties  Questions

What is the WDFM?  The Waco Downtown Farmers Market is a year-round riverside market, located at 400 South University Parks Drive. Since November 2011, the Market has been and will continue to be open every Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm, featuring the best local agricultural producers and artisan vendors within 150-miles of Waco.

Volunteer Responsibilities  Help set-up Welcome Booth (banners, signs, tables, tent)  Answer questions related to WDFM  Sell tote bags  Operate wireless terminal  Track tokens

Volunteer Shifts  8:00am-11:00am  Set up tables, tent, booth  VB: free drink  10:30am-1:30pm  Take down tables, tent, booth  VB: free drink  All Day – 8-1:30pm  VB: free meal  All shifts:  Answer ???  Track tokens on reporting sheets  Process cards  Hand over receipts VB=Volunteer Benefit

The Token System  Many farmers markets use a color-coded wooden token system for Credit/Debit/EBT transfers.  Why Tokens?  Opportunity to reach additional consumers, adding sales potential to farmers  Second token helps create a new economy in the market building retail excitement  Second token reduces stigma for EBT token users

Lingo To Know  EBT - Electronic Benefits Transfer  SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  Lonestar Card - A plastic card that acts like a debit card for approved Texas residents to receive SNAP benefits  POS – Point of Sales (terminal system)

Credit/Debit Token  $1, $5, $10 values  Doesn’t expire  Vendors may give change back  Valid for all Market products  Redeemable back through market manager

Making a Credit/Debit Transaction Credit 1. Swipe Card 2. Key Credit 3. Key in Amount 4. Press Enter 5. Hand over Tokens 6. Hand over Receipt Debit 1. Swipe card 2. Key Debit 3. Key in amount 4. Enter Users PIN 5. Hand over Tokens 6. Hand over Receipt

SNAP Token  $1, $5, $10 values  Specifies SNAP  Doesn’t expire  No change given  Valid only on SNAP authorized products  Redeemable back through market manager

Making an EBT transaction 1. Swipe Card 2. Select SNAP (down arrow) 3. Select ‘Food’ (up arrow) 4. Enter Sale Amount 5. Enter Users PIN 6. Done! 7. Hand over Tokens 8. Hand over Receipt

SNAP Purchases* YES  Milk and Cheese  Fruits and Vegetables  Seeds and Plants (used to grow food)  Bread and Baked Goods  Meat  Jams and Jellies  Flour and Nuts  Honey NO  Alcoholic beverages  Tobacco  Goat milk soap  Prepared foods (including crepes  )  Other non-food items

Oh, SNAP?! (a quick background on why and what) a (very) brief history: Starting in 1994, the federal food stamps program switched from paper coupons to EBT on a Lone Star card – which can be swiped through a POS system. The first Food Stamp Program (FSP) started back in 1939 – in order to make sure “unmarketable food surpluses were distributed to the those affected by widespread unemployment.” For more information: Legislation/about.htm Legislation/about.htm why farmers markets?  Expand opportunities for everyone to purchase just-picked produce, wholesome meat, dairy, and bread.  Increase economic market for farmers and vendors.  Create a more just and sustainable local food economy with access for all!

End of Market*  Cash out vendors  Collect vendor booth fees  Complete Token Reporting Forms

Don’t Worry  If you can figure out your iphone, you can figure out a POS!  If you want to study up, you can log on to where all procedures are covered.  We will also have a binder at market for the most common transactions.  If you need help, ASK!

Other Volunteer Tasks  Set up the Market – 7:30am-8:30am  Tear down/Clean up the Market – 12:30pm- 1:30pm  Traffic Control – 8:30am-12:30pm  Market Clicker – 8:30am-1:00pm  Photographer – 9am-10am  Get creative and make suggestions!

Questions? Peruse the FAQ section of the WDFM website for general questions: Bethel Erickson-Bruce WDFM Market Manager Cell: