Food Stamps and Farmers Markets

One of my current projects is working to get an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) machine for the Wheat Ridge Farmers Market.

When food stamps program (now officially called SNAP or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) was created, recipients got actual pieces of paper to redeem for food at local supermarkets, convenience stores and markets. However, in the late 1990s, physical coupons were phased out in favor of this debit-card swipe system known as EBT. There are some significant pros to this change: less fraud, less stigmas attached to using food stamps, etc.

However, one of the negative impacts of this shift was that it became drastically more difficult for farmers markets to continue accepting food stamp benefits. Many markets lack the funding to buy an EBT machine and, even if they are able to get their hands on one, there are monthly fees associated with using the machine, difficulties accessing an electricity source (or paying for a wireless machine) and challenges with creating a centralized system so each vendor does not have to purchase his/her own machine. For reference, a wireless EBT machine costs around $1200.

Despite these challenges, I am working with the Wheat Ridge Farmers Market (run through the Metro Denver Farmers Markets), the Colorado Farmers Market Association, the City of Wheat Ridge, Jefferson County and a non-profit called LiveWell Wheat Ridge to acquire an EBT machine (we will likely rent it) and set up a sustainable system that allows individuals and households who receive food stamps to buy produce at the market.

I'm excited by this project but recognize the significant challenges that lie ahead. Although we have a grant to cover all of the costs of this program for 2010, we will have to find another way to fund it for 2011. Additionally, we need to make sure that we find a responsible and honest volunteer who can help run the machine on market days. And we need to make sure that there will be someone at the Conservation District, or another organization, who will ensure the project continues in 2011 and beyond. And we need to educate all the vendors about how the program works. And, and, and...

There has to be a better way.