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EBT BENEFITS AT FARMERS’ MARKETS

EBT BENEFITS AT FARMERS’ MARKETS. DATE: 02/13/2009 TIME: 10:00– 12:00. http://connect.ag.vt.edu/rafmm/. Introduction. Overview of EBT Running an EBT program; a first hand account An overview of successful models Nutrition education at your market Funding opportunities

emmanuel-ramos
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EBT BENEFITS AT FARMERS’ MARKETS

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  1. EBT BENEFITS AT FARMERS’ MARKETS DATE: 02/13/2009 TIME: 10:00– 12:00 http://connect.ag.vt.edu/rafmm/

  2. 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

  3. 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 USDA’s Food Nutrition Service (FNS) • Managed in Virginia by the Department of Social Services (DSS)

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Running an EBT program Liz FalkDC Markets and EBT/WIC Program Managerlizfalk@freshfarmmarkets.org

  7. Weekly Report of Farmer Token Acceptance

  8. Monthly EBT/Debit Summary

  9. Bringing EBT To Your Farmers Market–An Overview of Successful Approaches Matt Benson Community Viability Specialist, Virginia Cooperative Extension (540) 341-7961 mcbenson@vt.edu

  10. 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.

  11. Oregon EBT Program • Coordinated by Oregon Farmers Markets Association www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/cust/Debit%20Food%20Stamp%20Program.html • Three types of EBT systems: • Food stamp only • Wired debit food stamp program • Wireless debit food stamp program • Oregon Rural Action 50:50 cost share grant program

  12. 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”.

  13. 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.

  14. Elements of Successful EBT Programs • Improved community-based transportation availability & accessibility • Nutrition & food-budgeting education • Funding!

  15. Elements of Successful EBT Programs • A farmers market outreach strategy • Tips for successful EBT programs: www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/cust/debitfoodstamppromtions.html • Farmers market SNAP promotion • EBT training programs: • For market managers • For vendors • Market evaluation surveys and reporting.

  16. What role does the USDAFood 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.

  17. FNS Virginia Contact Information • USDA FNS Field Office Contact Mrs. Sonji Paige, Program Specialist Email: Sonji.Paige@fns.usda.gov • Richmond Field Office 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 129Richmond, VA 23229Phone: (804) 287-1710 • Website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp • Five Points Community Market in Norfolk has had an EBT farmers market program since 2004.

  18. 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.

  19. 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/ebt%20how%20to.pdf • Learning from other farmers market EBT projects www.ncat.org/special/learning_from_other_projects.ppt

  20. 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/

  21. Funding your EBT Program Jonah Fogel Community Viability, Northeast District Virginia Cooperative Extension 804-527-4234 jfogel@vt.edu

  22. Funding Strategies • Grants Programs • Farmers Market Promotion Program • Community Food Projects • SARE Sustainable Communities Grant • ??? Farmers’ Market Associations??? • Statewide • Regional

  23. 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

  24. Community Food Projects • Eligibility • Private Non-profit • Funding Level • $300,000 with 1:1 cash match; up to 3 years • Application and Award History • Link

  25. SARE Sustainable Communities Grant • Eligibility • Any individual or organization • Funding Level • $10,000; up to two years • Application and Award History • Link

  26. Questions?

  27. 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!

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