1. SNAP Farmers’ Markets

2. Why Accept SNAP? Keep dollars circulating in the local economy
$5 in benefits generates $9 in economic activity
Increase access to locally grown, healthy, nutritious food
Help clients produce their own food

3. What is a Farmers’ Market?
Farmers Market: Two or more producers that sell their own agricultural products directly to the general public at a fixed location.
Direct Marketing Farmers: Individual producer that sells their own agricultural products directly to the general public.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): 14 day limit

4. Market Eligibility
Offer for sale, on a continuous basis, at least three varieties of qualifying foods in each of the following four staple food groups, with perishable foods in at least two of the categories:  
- meat, poultry or fish   - bread or cereal vegetables or fruits   - dairy products  
OR  
More than 50% of the total dollar amount of all retail sales (food, nonfood, gas and services) sold in the store must be from the sale of eligible staple foods

5. Application Process Set up a USDA eAuthentication account
Get your market listed in the Agricultural Marketing Service Directory
Fill out an application online or on paper

6. The Online Application
Separate application for farmers’ markets
Online Application
Must mail additional documents to FNS
ID, SS Card, business license, 501(c)(3), government ownership letter
Can always call the help line or check the status of application online

7. Application Tips Market Opening Date 501(c)(3) letter
Estimate sales data
Food categories include all vendors not just agricultural

8. FNS Expectations
Designate a Responsible Official to ensure the market adheres to applicable laws; FNS regulations, policies, and other guidance; and who will be held accountable in the event the market does not do so.
Design token or scrip system which is difficult to counterfeit
Provide appropriate training to all vendors about redemption rules and procedures

9. Farmers’ Market Coalition
Eligible for free equipment if you don’t currently possess functioning equipment or your equipment was received before May 2, 2012
Covers cost of purchasing or renting equipment and service fees for up to 3 years
Vendor options are MarketLink, MerchantSource and TSYS
FMC Equipment Guide

10. 2012 FNS Equipment Grant Distributed directly to states
Covers equipment and service fees for up to 3 years
Expires September 30, 2016
Must not have been authorized before November 18, 2011
More equipment options but less guidance

11. Choosing an Equipment Vendor
Compare at least 3 different companies
Will you also need credit and debit card service?
Buying vs leasing equipment
Contract Requirements: early termination, equipment repair, required insurance…
Seasonal downtime
Transaction fees and monthly fees
FNS Equipment Vendor Guidance

12. FNS Grants Farmers’ Market SNAP Support Grant
Farmers’ Market Equipment Grant
Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant
Many additional federal grants available outside of FNS

13. FNS Assistance Retailer Operations Division Help Line
Mountain Plains Farmers’ Market Coordinator
Zora Cobb

14. Resources FNS Farmers' Market Page FNS Farmers’ Market Handbook
Farmers’ Market Coalition
USDA Grants

15. USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C ; (2) fax: (202) ; or (3)
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.