Local, fresh produce will now be easier to obtain for people who use
food stamps, thanks to an initiative that allows more farmers markets to
accept EBT (electronic benefits transfer) cards.
The program is a coordinated effort among
Hennepin County,
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), and the
City of Minneapolis.
Launched last year with two markets, the program has been expanded this
year as an incentive for people to shop at the markets and eat
healthier foods.
Those participating in the program will receive
"Market Bucks" coupons, which match the first $5 in EBT card purchases
with an additional $5 in coupons. Participating farmers markets are
Midtown,
Minneapolis,
Northeast,
West Bank at Augsburg, West Bank at Brian Coyle Community Center, and
West Broadway.
"Technically,
it was actually complicated to put into place, because EBT is designed
to work in retail settings, at places that have Internet access," says
JoAnne Berkenkamp, Program Director for Local Foods at IATP. "We're
pleased that so many people worked together to solve those issues and
make this happen. Our hope is that we can craft a food system that works
for everyone."
The program also benefits farmers, she adds,
because it brings in more shoppers and encourages more purchasing. Last
year, at Midtown Farmers Market--the first market in the Twin Cities to
accept EBT cards--the number of people using EBT more than doubled over
the previous year.
Berkenkamp notes that there are other markets
and municipalities around the state trying to put a similar program in
place, and she anticipates that the initiative will expand in the near
future.
Source: JoAnne Berkenkamp, IATP
Writer: Elizabeth Millard