Farmers markets throughout Washington offer food access programs such as the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for WIC and Seniors, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP EBT, and a special fruit and vegetable program called “SNAP Market Match.” Farmers markets are a vital source of fruits, vegetables, and other local foods for SNAP and FMNP shoppers, promoting healthy eating for everyone. The WSFMA works closely with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Department of Health (DOH), and regional partners to coordinate opportunities, measure outcomes, track changing technology, and share best practices.
🥕 For help receiving food assistance, please contact Washington Connection by clicking here or calling (877) 501-2233.
🥕 Copies of the 2024 “Regional Farmers Market Food Access Directories” are available for 9 regions and in 4 languages. Free. Ask at your farmers market or local WSU SNAP-Ed, Health Department, or other partner organization.Downloadable PDFs are available here.
General Resources for Farmers Market
- 2024 Farmers Market Food Access Calendar
- New! Farmers Market Food Access Info Management and Check Lists is a Word document to help farmers markets organize their food access program information and signage in one place.
- Overview of Food Access Program at Farmers Markets designed to help train new market staff, volunteers, and vendors.
- Updated! Overview of Summer EBT or SUN Bucks for farmers markets.
- New! 2024 Farmers Market Food Access Currencies cheat sheet designed for quick reference for market staff and volunteers at the Information Booth or for growers and their staff. Also available in Spanish!
- Farmers Market Currency Sheet for shoppers, examples from Poulsbo Farmers Market and Ellensburg Farmers Market.
- Link to Google Drive with promotional graphics for SNAP Market Match, WIC and Senior FMNP. Created by Rescue Agency for SNAP-Ed.
Food Access Programs at Farmers Markets
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Women and Infant Children (WIC) and Seniors can be used to purchase fruit, vegetables, and fresh cut herbs at farmers markets. (Seniors can also buy honey.) Eligible families receive the FMNP benefits from their WIC clinic or local senior agency and can spend them directly with approved farm vendors at participating farmers markets between June 1 and October 31. Please click here to learn more about FMNP. The FMNP no longer uses paper checks; it transitioned to an electronic card in 2023.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the nation’s largest nutritional assistance program. To use SNAP, simply visit the farmers market’s Information Booth to get tokens that can be used to buy fruits, vegetables, baked goods, seeds, meat, jams, jellies, bread, fish, vegetable starts, syrup, honey, dairy, poultry, and more. Please click here to learn about “Basic Food” or SNAP in Washington State.
SNAP Market Match. Families and individuals can stretch their SNAP dollars at farmers markets by getting “SNAP Market Match.” No need to sign up. Simply go to a participating farmers market’s Information Booth, swipe your SNAP EBT card, and get up to $25 in “SNAP Market Match” to buy fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, mushrooms, fresh herbs, seeds, and plants that produce food (e.g., tomato seeds or tomato plants).