Thanks to grant funding from Prince George’s County and Maryland Market Money, the Greenbelt Farmers Market is proud to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits so customers can purchase fresh produce and locally made products at our market.
To use SNAP benefits, customers can bring their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card (commonly known as the Independence Card in Maryland) to our information table. We will charge the card for any amount requested in exchange for tokens that can be spent with eligible vendors. Almost all vendors and products are eligible, except for alcohol and flowers.
Through the Maryland Market Money program, the Greenbelt Farmers Market will also match up to $30 in SNAP benefits spent at the market – so a $10 charge on a customer’s EBT card will give them $20 to spend!
Select vendors at the Greenbelt Farmers Market also accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks. FMNP is a USDA-funded nutrition grant program that provides checks to low-income participants that are a part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Checks can be used to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey (for seniors only) at the Greenbelt Farmers Market. These checks are spent directly with vendors who are registered to accept the checks as payment, and then those vendors will write the customer a receipt. If the customer brings the receipt to the information table, GFM will match up to $10 in FMNP spending with additional Maryland Market Money tokens. Bringing a $10 FMNP check to the market can allow a customer to spend $20!
General Information about Nutrition Assistance Programs
There are nutrition assistance programs that receive bonus spending power at the farmers market. SNAP and WIC are both federally-funded food assistance programs that help low-income families get the groceries they need. Both of these programs are run at the state level.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP–formerly known as food stamps): Provides monthly funds on an EBT card that can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets. SNAP benefits are intended to supplement a household’s food budget. To be eligible, a household’s gross monthly income must generally be at or below 130% of the poverty line. Applying for SNAP in Maryland.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Provides a monthly food package from one of seven options, based on the participant’s life stage and nutritional needs. Participants use their WIC EBT card to purchase the food and beverages in their package. WIC also provides free nutrition, breastfeeding support, and health education. To be eligible, a family’s income must be at or below 185% of the poverty level, or they must meet eligibility requirements for other programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF. Applying for WIC in Maryland.
To learn more, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service webpage, Greenbelt Farmers Market webpage, or stop by the Information Booth at the farmers market.
