1. NYS Farm Stand EBT Pilot Program NYS Dept of Agriculture & Markets Farmers Market Federation of NY NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance

2. Current farmer participation is low due to misconceptions: –Sales not likely to be significant –Farms do not qualify as a Food Stamp retailer –Excessive or complex paperwork to apply/qualify –EBT equipment is expensive or difficult to use –Food Stamp customers won’t buy fresh produce or travel to farms –Wireless connections are slow and inconsistent –Training cashiers is time consuming –Food stamp sales are tracked as income What does the Food Stamp Program Mean for Farm Stands?

3. Economic opportunity is potentially significant –Statewide, March 2009 1,219,139 households $307,568,883 –Wayne County, March 2009 4075 households $937,220 –Chautauqua County, March 2009: 9497 households $2,370,266 What does the Food Stamp Program Mean for Farm Stands?

4. Economic opportunity is potentially significant –Supermarkets have readily adopted the food stamp program and reap $$$ benefits –The Farmers Market Wireless EBT Program has shown food stamp customers will purchase locally grown, fresh foods 86 farmers markets in 2008 Over $420,000 in sales statewide in 2008 What does the Food Stamp Program Mean for Farm Stands?

5. http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/retailers/register.htm How can you become a Food Stamp/EBT Authorized Retailer?

6. Retailer Application To access the application: –Apply for user name and password using the link and click on “registration” –With confirmation email, return to original USDA FNS link and click “sign in” –Enter user name and password. –On Online Application Process page, click on “click here for acknowledgement agreement”. –Click “Accept” –Return to Online application process page and click “Next”

7. Basic Store Information

8. Choose ownership type: –Privately held corporation –Publicly held corporation –Sole proprietorship –Partnership –Limited liability company –Nonprofit cooperative –Government owned The page will change depending on the type you choose. Social security numbers are required Ownership Information

9. Sales information for full season Will ask for information on all types of products sold, not just food stamp eligible products Sales Information

10. Be sure to indicate that you are seasonal Indicate days and hours you are open Supplemental Information

11. When you click submit, you will receive an email with your FNS Authorization number. You must follow up with a cover letter and documentation before it is finalized –Document Cover Sheet –Certification and signature page –Copy of business certificate –Copy of photo identification and SSN for all owners, partners, corporate officers The sooner the documentation is received, the sooner your certification is finalized. Must be within 45 days. Submit

12. Processing Option 1: State Sponsored EBT Only Terminal JP Morgan provides service Requires access to electricity and phone lines $100 monthly sales requirement (flexible for seasonal merchants No cost to participate Cannot add debit/credit to terminal How can you become a Food Stamp/EBT Authorized Retailer?

13. Option 2: Add EBT to your own Db/Cr POS terminal Some, but not all service providers can add EBT to your current service Inquire about availability and costs –No EBT transaction charges are allowed under FNS regulations –Any other costs would be at retailer’s expense Allows debit and credit on same POS terminal with EBT How can you become a Food Stamp/EBT Authorized Retailer?

14. Processing Option 3: Wireless EBT Service – Pilot Project To introduce farm stands to the benefits of participating in the Food Stamp/EBT program For those with no access to electricity or phone lines For those who cannot otherwise access the state sponsored EBT ONLY terminal or add EBT to your own POS terminal There are costs involved – monthly wireless and EBT transaction fees Pilot program will support the fees for 2009 -10 while the farm builds its food stamp customer base. How can you become a Food Stamp/EBT Authorized Retailer?

15. Applications due to NYSDAM no later than 7/17 Participation restricted to 20 farm stands per county, based on: –Limited access to electricity and phone lines –Widest diversity of fresh produce and locally grown foods –Located in areas with least access to retail food stores –Longest season of operation –Most days of operation per week Participation in the Wireless EBT Program

16. Those accepted will: Be required to participate in a program training Be required to sign a participation agreement Receive a wireless EBT terminal to use for the duration of the project Receive fee reimbursement during the project timeframe Be required to participate in post season surveys Be required to allow sales data to be tracked for program evaluation Participation in the Wireless EBT Program

17. Signage “Food Stamp/EBT Benefits Accepted Here” Media Kit, suitable for farm stands, CCE, community partner use: –Billboard design –Consumer flyer –Print ready ads –Press releases Promotion and Outreach

18. Sales data collected –Follow increases in food stamp usage at farm stands –Track customer sales trends –Individual farm data kept confidential and all reporting done in the aggregate Season-end Surveys –Customer response to opportunity –Value of program to farm income –Effectiveness of promotional materials Tracking and Evaluation

19. Contacts Farmers Market Federation Diane Eggert 315-637-4690 Diane.eggert@verizon.net NYS Dept of Agriculture & Markets Jonathan Thomson 518-457-7076 Jonathan.thomson@agm kt.state.ny.us