SNAP EBT

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) is the nation’s largest nutritional assistance program. Many farmers markets across the state accept SNAP. At most markets, shoppers visit the market information booth and ask to swipe their EBT card. The market then provides tokens for the amount swiped on the card. The shopper then spends the tokens with market vendors on SNAP eligible items. Eligible items are the same as at the grocery store and include fruits, vegetables, baked goods, seeds, meat, jams & jellies, bread, fish, vegetable starts, syrup and honey, dairy, and poultry.

WIC & Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Program

The Women and Infant Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides vouchers for low-income seniors, pregnant women, and women with young children to purchase fresh, healthy food at farmers markets. Program participants receive the vouchers from their WIC clinic or local senior agency and spend them directly with approved farm vendors at approved farmers markets. Vouchers can be used to purchase fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and fresh cut herbs. The Senior vouchers may also be used to purchase honey.

SNAP Market Match

Families and individuals enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly known as food stamps can stretch their SNAP EBT dollars at participating farmers markets across Washington State. This means you can get more for your money when using SNAP EBT to shop for fresh fruits and veggies! These are called “matching” or “incentive” programs. The largest EBT matching program in Washington state is called “SNAP Market Match

How SNAP Market Match Works

If you use SNAP/EBT:

  1. Go to a participating market’s information booth and tell them you’d like SNAP Market Match
  2. Swipe your EBT card for the amount you want to spend
  3. You will receive that amount in EBT tokens and the same amount in SNAP Market Match dollars. Markets match $40 or more per day, check with your local market for their daily match amount.
  4. Shop for:
    • Fresh vegetables
    • Fresh fruits
    • Mushrooms
    • Fresh herbs
    • Seeds and plants that produce food (for example, tomato seeds or tomato plants)

How Much is Matched?

Around the state, matches vary from market to market. Common matches include getting $2 for using $2 of SNAP; getting $2 for using $5 of SNAP, and a $1 for $1 match. For example, at some markets with a $2:$5 match, for every $5 spent in EBT, the market gives an additional $2 to spend on fresh produce. That’s $7 for shopping with every $5 swiped on your EBT card! Not all programs are offered year round, but operate when funds are available to do so.

Questions?

To find out more about EBT-matching programs around Washington State, contact the WSFMA at info[at]wafarmersmarkets[dot]org.

Learn more about how to start a matching program at your market!