SNAP Benefits Are Making Their Way to Florida Farmer's Markets
Friday, July 5, 2013
By: Alicia Mandigo

Buying fresh fruits and vegetables can be a real problem for lower income people. A lot of neighborhoods don't have stores that carry them, and for many people the price is too high. Farmer's markets could be a solution, but very few of them accept food stamps.

[Typical farmer's market offerings]

It’s happening slowly- but Central Florida farmer’s markets are opening the door to SNAP. That’s the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that used to be known as food stamps. These days, recipients largely use an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT card that’s like a debit card. The problem with farmer’s markets is that they’re cash only operations. But the USDA is offering grants for farmers markets to get the equipment needed to process EBT’s. The Sanford farmer’s market began accepting them a few years ago. Volunteer Jeff Farrell said Sanford was the second farmer’s market in the state to do so, and people definitely make use of it. “Grocery stores offer it but with our produce and stuff, a lot of our stuff everything is lower, so they’re glad they can come here and spend the money, you know, they get a lot more for their money and everything too,” he said.

When the Brevard county farmer’s market reopens next week after its 4^th of July break, it too will be accepting SNAP EBT payments. Farmer’s market manager Melinda Morgan Stowell said a recent increase in the USDA grant for the EBT equipment shows a growing respect for locally sourced food.

“So what we’re seeing is an acknowledgement by the federal government that local food sources are not only providing more healthy produce, but also are providing a health benefit to the local economy, if you will, ” she said.

She said 20-cents of every SNAP dollar spent on food remains with the farmers and the local economy.  She said local produce is better because it hasn’t been shipped and stored- and so has a longer shelf life. Morgan-Stowell said right now only 3 farmers’ markets statewide accept SNAP. Audubon Park Farmer’s market director Gabby Lothrop said she’d like to change that number to four. She said Florida is behind the curve in making sure fresh, whole foods are part of a community’s culture. “And when you’re talking about long term solutions to hunger and health, you really can’t have one without the others,” she said.

Lothrop said she’s hoping the Audubon Park Farmer’s market will be able to apply for the USDA SNAP grant this fall.