The Grinnell Farmers Market will soon become one of the few farmers markets in the state to be SNAP certified, meaning the entire market will accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) government issued cards as well as credit and debit cards. The Grinnell market will launch its SNAP program on August 25, one week following National Farmers Market Week.
Farmers Market Introduces SNAP Program
Beginning August 25, the Grinnell Farmers Market as a whole will accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) government issued cards as well as credit and debit cards. This program will increase customers’ access to fresh, healthy and local produce. It will also address local hunger issues and work to build community food security.
“We are so excited to broaden the access of fresh food for our community with the implementation of our new SNAP program. Farmers markets play a vital role in forming healthy, local food systems,” said Rachael Kinnick with the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the market.
With their EBT card, SNAP recipients will make a minimum five-dollar purchase, which will be given as one dollar tokens. The tokens may be redeemed at any vendor for fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, seeds and baked goods intended to be taken home for a meal, as opposed to immediate consumption. Plants intended for growing food also qualify as a SNAP purchase. Non-food items, ready-to-eat foods and hot foods are excluded from allowable SNAP purchases. Credit and debit card users can purchase a minimum of ten dollars in tokens, which will be accepted by all vendors without restrictions. Tokens will be sold at a central booth during each mark, where a card reader will be available to swipe SNAP benefit cards as well as debit/credit cards.
“This is a great opportunity for the entire community to gain greater access to healthy and fresh produce at our market,” said Ann Brau, Compass Plant CSA and manager of the Thursday market. “All customers will now have the opportunity to purchase products from multiple vendors, as opposed to only the few vendors who were previously able to accept SNAP benefits. We are thrilled to see this market-wide program be implemented in Grinnell.”
In 2015, $19.4 million in SNAP benefits were redeemed at farmers markets across the United States bringing fresh, nutritious food to families who need it, and millions of dollars in revenue going back to local farmers. Not only will this program help low-income community members purchase healthy locally sourced food, but the program will also support Grinnell farmers and vendors. SNAP is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), and serves as the nation’s largest domestic hunger safety net.
“Our vendors teach their customers about agriculture, share recipes and expose them to new foods. The Grinnell Farmers Market is a great opportunity to share a love of food and community,” said Kinnick.
National Farmers Market Week
National Farmers Market Week is August 7 through 13. The Grinnell Farmers Market will celebrate by highlighting several vendors on social media throughout the week and hosting live music from Angela Meyer beginning at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, and Erik Jarvis and Katie In beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 13. Along with live music, there will be scavenger hunts for kids and reusable farmers market bags for purchase.
The Grinnell Farmers Market currently has approximately 30 vendors selling a wide variety of products, all produced by the vendor themselves. A few of the products sold at the market include fresh produce, baked goods, frozen meat, soy candles, hand-squeezed lemonade, natural soaps and much more.
Farmers markets are more than just an outlet for fresh produce and friendly farmers. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics, these grassroots venues have increased in number by over 60 percent since 2009 to more than 8,500 today. These markets preserve farmland, stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh nutritious food, improve community health and promote sustainability. Today, Iowa is home to more than 95 farmers markets.
Grinnell Farmers Market activities are organized by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Claude & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, Grinnell College, University of Iowa Community Credit Union and Grinnell Regional Medical Center.