CalFresh Outreach Food Nutrition Service Announcement

Great News Western Region SNAP-Ed Partners:

In collaboration with the Farmer's Market Coalition (FMC), the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service is excited to announce the opening of FMC/s Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program. Eligible farmers markets and direct marketing farmers now have the opportunity to apply for and receive electronic benefit transfer (EBT) equipment necessary to process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

If the applying farmers and famer’s markets receive approval, FMC will cover the costs of purchasing or renting SNAP EBT equipment and services (set-up costs, monthly service fees, and wireless fees) for up to three years. Though transaction fees will not be covered, the selected farmers and farmers markets will get to choose their own SNAP EBT service provider from a list of participating companies.

The program is for SNAP-authorized farmers markets and direct marketing farmers that were authorized before November 18, 2011 and fall into one of the following categories:

A. They do not currently possess functioning EBT equipment;

OR

B. They currently possess functioning EBT equipment, but received that equipment before May 2, 2012.

Markets and farmers do not ‘currently possess functioning EBT equipment’ if: 

They currently rely on manual/paper vouchers to accept SNAP, 

They do not currently accept SNAP and have never possessed functioning SNAP EBT equipment, or 

They do not currently accept SNAP because their EBT equipment is?: 

Damaged beyond repair. 

Non-operational because their SNAP EBT service provider no longer offers SNAP EBT processing in their state. 

Stolen or lost.


The Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program is a first-come first-serve opportunity, and the program does end once the funds have been distributed. Don’t miss out!
For more information on the program, including frequently asked questions, an eligibility chart, background information and application instructions, visit http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/programs/freesnapebt/ today.

Not Eligible for FMC’s Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program?

If a farmers market or direct marketing farmer isn’t yet SNAP-authorized, or became SNAP-authorized on or after November 18, 2011, then they may be eligible for free equipment through MarketLink. Please follow this link to learn more about MarketLink’s application process: www.marketlink.org

Questions about this announcement?

If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Mutuma, Western Region SNAP, Program Specialist, brenda.mutuma@fns.usda.gov