HOW DOES IT WORK?
- Bring your EBT card to the ABFM stall.
- Decide how much you want to spend at the market, and then tell a staff person you want to use your SNAP benefits.
- Swipe your EBT card and enter your PIN number, and a staff person will enter the amount you request.
- Once the transaction is approved, you’ll be given a receipt and ABFM SNAP Market Moolah vouchers to spend at the market.
- Shop for eligible foods, using the SNAP Moolah vouchers like cash.
- Note that vendors are not allowed to give change from the vouchers.
- ABFM SNAP Moolah vouchers don’t expire, and can be used at market the same day or another market day.
- You may return unused vouchers for a refund to your EBT account.
WHAT CAN I BUY AT MARKET?
Eligible for Purchase with SNAP:
Foods for household members to eat, such as: vegetables and fruits; fish and meat; dairy products; breads; grains and cereals; baked goods; nuts; pasta; condiments. Also eligible are plants that will produce food for household members to eat (for example, tomato plants, raspberry plants, herbs, etc.).
Not Eligible for Purchase with SNAP:
non-food items; any food that is served hot or ready-to-eat (i.e., on a plate or not wrapped to go); alcoholic beverages; pet foods; ornamental (inedible) vegetables, such as gourds or ornamental corn
WHAT IS SNAP?
Formerly known as the federal Food Stamp program, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps people with low incomes purchase food for themselves and their families.
Whether you live alone or not, whether you have children or not, it’s sometimes hard to pay all the bills and still have enough left over for good, nutritious food. Finding affordable fresh produce can be especially challenging. Using SNAP benefits at the farmers market can really help.
People may think they’re not eligible for SNAP because they’re working or are not on welfare. You don’t have to be receiving welfare benefits to be eligible, and even if you’re working you may qualify. It all depends on your income, how much money you have saved, and the number of people in your household. If you meet the guidelines, you can get SNAP benefits.
As a SNAP participant, you’re given an account and a plastic card called the Mass EBT card. Each month, your SNAP benefits are deposited into your account. You can use your EBT card at grocery stores, farmers markets, co-ops, and convenience stores. The EBT card is used to buy food in the same way a bank debit card or a credit card would be used.