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Grow Your Farmers Market With SNAP
Amanda MilhollandJCFM DirectorWest Sound Regional Lead
Outline ● What is SNAP● SNAP at your farmers market● Community benefit● Individual and family benefit● Market and vendor benefit● Guide your board to start SNAP
What is SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)- federally funded nutrition assistance serving millions of eligible, low-income individuals
and families. SNAP is also known as EBT and Food Stamps.
SNAP; Why Now At your MarketMore than 41 million American households, including 328,000 Washington households were food insecure in 2016 (USDA).
Nearly 16,000 Washington households (4.6%) experienced hunger ("very low food security").
Across the U.S., 10 million more people are facing hunger than in 1999 - and 5 million more than in 2007.
What Can Be Purchased with SNAP/EBT?SNAP can purchase any non-prepared food, including:
● Fruit and vegetables● Eggs and dairy● Meat● Baked goods and bread● Coffee beans and tea leaves● Vegetable plant starts and seeds ● Jam and honey● Other non-prepared food
Benefit of SNAP at Farmers Markets● Increased customer base (JCFM serves about 500 EBT,
WIC and Senior FMNP shoppers each year. The number is growing!)
● Retain market shoppers: If they can’t use SNAP at your market they will visit another market
● Increased market sales (JCFM has seen EBT sales increase from $4,695 in 2009, our first year of accepting SNAP,
to $15,773 last market season.) ● Attracts and retains farm and food vendors● Fosters community market support
Community Benefits of SNAP at Farmers markets ● Increased access to healthy foods
for all community members = better long-term health and lower health care costs
● Welcoming environment for all ● Greater community food security● Investment of federal food
assistance funds into local economy
Increase Access to Local Food For all Teresa values eating a healthy diet. However, she has a fixed income and struggles to afford locally grown food. JCFM’s SNAP and food assistance matching programs help Teresa shop weekly for the local produce she loves. This means JCFM farmers have a dedicated shopper and Teresa eats a nutritious diet while her federal food assistance budget helps support local jobs. A win-win-win.
Healthy Food for FamiliesFamilies tell us they love bringing home nutritious, local food. With SNAP, low-income families can afford to feed their children the most nutritious foods available.
Max, Onatrue FarmA successful SNAP program boosts market sales and enhances the attraction of your market to farm and other food vendors.
Max, a Jefferson County farmer, estimates that about 25% of his sales are to SNAP shoppers.
Matching Program ● Expand SNAP program benefit with a matching
program. Markets in Jefferson, Clallam, Kitsap and Mason counties are participating in Fresh Bucks, funded by a Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant from the USDA.
● JCFM also offers recipients of WIC/Senior FMNP matching funded by community partners
● Matching means greater sales opportunities, community involvement and increased SNAP shopper base
Community Partnerships● You can access additional funding
through local businesses, foundations and individual donors- hospitals, banks, and food co-ops are great partners
● Receive support to start a SNAP program from your WSFMA Regional Lead
Starting SNAP at Your MarketWhen considering starting a SNAP program:
● Look at the SNAP rates in your community- DSHS
● Reach out to neighboring markets that accept SNAP- What are their SNAP sales? What successes and challenges have they had?
● Invite other partners to participate in a presentation to your board. Possible partners: local food bank, WIC clinic or local SNAP-educator.
Example Presentation: Demographics in Sequim The demographic makeup of Sequim is changing:
● In just one year, the number of students receiving free and reduced lunch at Sequim schools went from 43% to 58%
● During the last school year, only one school was above 50% FRLP. This year all 5 schools are greater than 50%.
Demographics in Clallam CountyThe 2012 Clallam County Health Status Assessment showed that in Clallam County between 1999 and 2010:
● The number food stamp recipients has increased by 61%
● The number of people living below 200% of the poverty level has increased between by 28%
● The number of children living in poverty increased between by 34%
Health BehaviorsAccording to the 2012 Clallam County Health Status Assessment:
● Overall 77% of adults do not meet the recommended fruit and vegetable intake
● Among the lowest income population, this number is 85%
Sequim Food Bank Client Survey● Fresh veggies are
the most popular!
Sequim Food Bank Client Survey● Clients are
already shopping at the market
Reach Out to your Regional Lead for Help Getting started
2018 Regional Leads• Pierce County: TBD
• King County: TBD
• Snohomish County: Karen Erickson, Everett Farmers Market, [email protected]
• Columbia Gorge: Hannah Ladwig, Gorge Grown Food Network, [email protected]
• Skagit County: Shannon Bachtel, WSU Ext. Skagit County, [email protected]
• Greater Okanogan: Britany Meiklen, Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market, [email protected]
• Southwest Washington: Tina Eifert, Camas Farmers Market, WSU Ext. Clark County, [email protected]
• South Sound: Mary DiMatteo, Olympia Farmers Market, [email protected]
• Spokane County, Columbia Basin: Jesse Hansen, Catholic Charities of Spokane, [email protected]
• Southeast Washington, Tri-County: Carolyn Connelly, Catholic Charities of Spokane, [email protected]