Those with food stamp benefits are now able to use their food stamp (EBT) card at the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market. This electronic transaction is made possible through wireless technology which is set up at the market manager’s booth. Upon arrival to the market, food stamp customers can use their card to purchase $1 wooden tokens. These tokens then function as cash within the market.
At the market, food stamp customers are able to purchase food-stamp authorized goods such as fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry, dairy, maple syrup and other maple products, honey, breads, baked goods, jams and jellies, processed foods and even seeds and plants which produce food.
“When it comes to food stamp customers, we’re trying to emphasize that their benefits can go farther than they may have thought at the farmers market. Not only are they able to obtain farm-fresh food, they have access to vendors and farmers who are ready and willing to share advice, tips and recipes,” said Diane Eggert, executive director of the Farmers Market Federation of NY.
And it’s not just food stamp customers who are benefiting from the ability to use their cards at the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market. Farmers and vendors will benefit from the increased sales and traffic at the market as they are able to redeem the tokens for a 100 percent cash exchange.
“This is a positive, win-win situation for everyone involved in the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market — both the vendors and the food stamp customers. Now, food stamp customers have access to the freshest, healthiest produce and products that New York state has to offer!” said Eggert.
