JM Innovations



Nebraska Ag News Headlines
SNAP Recipients Use EBT Cards at Farmers Markets
Nebraska Ag Connection - 05/06/2016

About 1,000 purchases of locally grown, fresh food at farmers markets in Nebraska last year were made with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards, and that number is likely to increase this year.

"Access to locally grown foods is good for everyone," said Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO Courtney Phillips. "SNAP recipients can benefit by preparing healthy meals for their families using their EBT cards to buy fresh vegetables, fruits and other foods at 16 farmers markets in the state."

Last year, Nebraska's farmers markets saw SNAP clients purchase more than $21,000 of food. With the farmers market season just beginning, Doug Weinberg, director of Children and Family Services, expects that number to climb as awareness grows that EBT cards can be used at the markets.

"Using EBT cards encourages SNAP clients to buy and prepare healthy food for their families," he said. "SNAP dollars end up in the pockets of American farmers, and this program expands their customer base through increased sales."

All shoppers benefit when farmers markets are eligible to accept SNAP EBT cards, Weinberg said. Federal support allowed farmers markets to increase access to wireless point-of-sale equipment so all patrons can use credit cards.

Weinberg urged additional farmers markets and direct marketing farmers to become authorized to accept SNAP by applying online at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers-0.

Farmers markets in Nebraska that accept SNAP EBT cards are:

Aurora -- Aurora Community Farmers' Market, 208 16th St.

Bridgeport -- Bridgeport Farmers' Market, 409 N. Main St.

Dwight -- Pekarek's Produce, 2447 Road O

Fremont -- Grandview Farm, 1050 County Road X

Lincoln -- F St. Farmers' Market, 13th and F St.

Lincoln -- Fallbrook Farmers' Market, 570 Fallbrook Blvd.

Lincoln -- Old Cheney Road Farmers Market, Inc., 5500 Old Cheney Rd.

Nebraska City -- Nebraska City Farmers Market, 800 1st Ave.

Omaha -- Benson Farmers Market, Inc., Military Ave. at Maple St.

Omaha -- City Sprouts Community Garden, 4002 Seward St.

Omaha -- Gifford Park Neighborhood Market, 525 N. 33rd St.

Omaha -- No More Empty Pots, 1127 N. 20th St.

Omaha -- Omaha Farmers Market, 519 S. 11th St.

Omaha -- Tomato Tomato, 2634 S. 156th Cir.

South Sioux City -- South Sioux City Farmers Market, 1501 Dakota Ave.

Thedford -- Thomas County Farmers Market, Highways 2 and 83 South


Other Nebraska Headlines
Easy Way Cattle Care
Riverside Plastic Inc./RSI Calf Hutches
Copyright © 2024 - Farms.com. All Rights Reserved.