WIC

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EBT BENEFITS AT FARMERS MARKETS
DATE 02/13/2009 TIME 1000 1200
http//connect.ag.vt.edu/rafmm/
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Introduction

• Overview of EBT
• Running an EBT program a first hand account
• An overview of successful models
• Nutrition education at your market
• Funding opportunities
• Question and Answer
• Closing and Next Steps

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Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

• An electronic system that allows a recipient to
  authorize transfer of their government benefits
  from a Federal account to a retailer account to
  pay for products received.
• Used since 2004 in all localities of the US
  (paper no longer accepted after June
  17th 2009)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  --Formerly known as food stamps
• Federal Program of USDAs Food Nutrition Service
  (FNS)
• Managed in Virginia by the Department of Social
  Services (DSS)

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WIC Seniors Farmers Market Programs

• WIC (Woman Infants Children)
• Managed by Virginia Department of Health
• Virginia Department of Agriculture Consumer
  Services completes training and coordination
• Website with more information
• www.fns.usda.gov/wic/FMNP/FMNPfaqs.htm
• Seniors
• Managed by Virginia Department for the Aging
• Virginia Department of Agriculture Consumer
  Services completes training and coordination
• Website with more information
• www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPmenu.htm

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SNAP in Virginia

• Eligibility at 185 of poverty
• 19,240 individual, 39, 220 per household
• Participation in 2008
• 593,578 people or 267,379 households
• Avg. monthly benefit in 2008
• 93.26 per person or 206.99 per household
• SNAP at Farmers Markets is an emerging trend

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Running an EBT program

• Liz FalkDC Markets and EBT/WIC Program
  Managerlizfalk_at_freshfarmmarkets.org

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Weekly Report of Farmer Token Acceptance
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Monthly EBT/Debit Summary
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Bringing EBT To Your Farmers MarketAn Overview
of Successful Approaches

• Matt Benson
• Community Viability Specialist,
• Virginia Cooperative Extension
• [phone]
• mcbenson_at_vt.edu

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Outline Purpose of Presentation

• To provide an overview of different EBT farmers
  market programs.
• To provide an overview of successful elements of
  EBT farmers market programs.
• To help clarify VA agency roles and contacts.
• To share EBT farmers market resources.

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Oregon EBT Program

• Coordinated by Oregon Farmers Markets Association
• www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/cust/Debit20Food20
  Stamp20Program.html
• Three types of EBT systems
• Food stamp only
• Wired debit food stamp program
• Wireless debit food stamp program
• Oregon Rural Action 5050 cost share grant program

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New Hampshire EBT Program

• Developed from a three year 2004 NE SARE grant.
• First piloted at three farmers markets.
• Each market has a centrally located kiosk for
  customers to purchase script.

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New Hampshire EBT Program

• Yearly sales ranged from 24 to 938 per market.
• Farmers markets held nutritional cooking demos
  for increased awareness.
• One market hired a bi-lingual speaker from the
  neighborhood to help with promotion and comfort
  level.

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Elements of Successful EBT Programs

• Improved community-based transportation
  availability accessibility
• Nutrition food-budgeting education
• Funding!

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Elements of Successful EBT Programs

• A farmers market outreach strategy
• Tips for successful EBT programs
  www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/cust/debitfoodstamppr
  omtions.html
• Farmers market SNAP promotion
• EBT training programs
• For market managers
• For vendors
• Market evaluation surveys and reporting.

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What role does the USDA Food Nutrition Service
(FNS) play?

• FNS coordinates the EBT vendor approval process.
• www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/retailers/application-process
  .htm
• FNS distributes EBT equipment.
• FNS assists to manage EBT programs.

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FNS Virginia Contact Information

• USDA FNS Field Office Contact
• Mrs. Sonji Paige, Program Specialist
• Email Sonji.Paige_at_fns.usda.gov
• Richmond Field Office
• 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 129Richmond, VA
  23229Phone [phone]
• Website http//www.fns.usda.gov/fsp
• Five Points Community Market in Norfolk has had
  an EBT farmers market program since 2004.

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What role does the Virginia Department of Social
Services (DSS) play?

• Website for SNAP / EBT program users
  www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ebt_card/index.html
• Disseminates information / statistics about
  population need and demographics.
• Can help shed some insights about the EBT process.

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EBT Program Resources

• Accepting food stamp electronic benefit transfer
  (EBT) cards at farmers markets and farm stands
  a primer for farmers and market managers
• http//extension.unh.edu/resources/representation
  /Resource000816_Rep852.pdf
• SNAP frequently asked questions
• www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm
• NYS farmers market wireless EBT program
• www.nyfarmersmarket.com/ebt.htm
• How to bring wireless EBT to your farmers market
• www.worldhungeryear.org/fslc/ebt20how20to.pdf
• Learning from other farmers market EBT projects
• www.ncat.org/special/learning_from_other_projects
  .ppt

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Nutrition Education at Your MarketPart of a
Successful EBT program

• Judith L. Midkiff, MS
• Project Associate, Operations and Marketing,
• Family Nutrition Program
• http//connect.ag.vt.edu/jmfarmer/

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Funding your EBT Program

• Jonah Fogel
• Community Viability, Northeast District
• Virginia Cooperative Extension
• 804-527-4234
• jfogel_at_vt.edu

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Funding Strategies

• Grants Programs
• Farmers Market Promotion Program
• Community Food Projects
• SARE Sustainable Communities Grant
• ??? Farmers Market Associations???
• Statewide
• Regional

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Farmers Market Promotion Program

• Eligibility
• Direct marketing operations that include two or
  more farmers/farm vendors who produce and sell
  their own products through a common distribution
  channel directly to consumers
• Funding Level
• 75,000 no match required up to 18 months
• Application and Award History
• Link

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Community Food Projects

• Eligibility
• Private Non-profit
• Funding Level
• 300,000 with 11 cash match up to 3 years
• Application and Award History
• Link

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SARE Sustainable Communities Grant

• Eligibility
• Any individual or organization
• Funding Level
• 10,000 up to two years
• Application and Award History
• Link

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Questions?
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Conclusion

• Jonah Fogel-Community Viability, NE District
• Matt Benson- Community Viability, N District
• Liz Falk- FRESHFARM Markets, WIC/ EBT
• Judy Midkiff- Food Nutrition Program, Statewide
• Thank YOU!