Federal Nutrition Benefits (SNAP/EBT + eWIC) Best Practices Training
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, in partnership with the National Association of Farmers Nutrition Programs' MarketLink program, is offering a Federal Nutrition Benefits (SNAP/EBT + eWIC) Best Practices Training to all Maryland farmers markets and direct marketing farmers on Thursday, February 23rd, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Implementation of federal nutrition benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT) or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at Maryland farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs is a crucial part of ensuring that locally-grown, fresh food is accessible to everyone in our communities. However, the logistics of offering these benefits at markets or by direct-marketing farmers can be challenging.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP is at the frontline of alleviating hunger in America, especially for the most vulnerable population (ie. Women, children, people of color, elders, students). By accepting SNAP/EBT, farms and farmers markets send a powerful message that good food is for everyone regardless of income status. In Maryland, 13% of the state’s population benefited from SNAP in 2021 with more than 62% of SNAP participants living in households with children. Economically, enabling SNAP participants to shop locally strengthens the local food system. Providing farmers and farmers markets with the necessary tools to accept SNAP/EBT ultimately promotes a healthy, just, and sustainable food system while bringing more sales to their businesses.
This training is for all farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers in Maryland:
Farmers markets or farmers currently offering SNAP/eWIC
Farmers markets or farmers interested in offering SNAP/eWIC
Farmers market managers or farm staff involved in programming or currently overseeing federal nutrition benefits
Farmers markets and farmers interested in federal nutrition benefit matching programs like Maryland Market Money
Farmers markets and farmers interested in electronic incentives (e-incentives)
Topics covered in this training will include:
Best practices for keeping your info up to date with USDA FNS
Who to go to for help with your FNS number or EBT equipment
Options for grants to cover the cost of your EBT equipment
What to do if your EBT machine stops working
Promoting your farmers market or farm programs and benefits acceptance
How to create a bigger grocery budget impact for shoppers
Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all
Navigating e-WIC acceptance
An introduction to e-incentives and more!
Please join SMADC for a discussion of best practices that will help avoid at least some of these challenges, and help you be better prepared when issues do arise.
For more information and to register for the Best Practices Training visit the 'News & Events' page at www.SMADC.com.
REGISTER FOR THE BEST PRACTICES TRAINING ONLINE HERE.
Post Resources and Recording
Resources and slides (click through to open presentations in a new tab)
Recording
You can also view the Best Practices recording here.
Maryland Market Money (MMM), a program of SMADC, is a statewide food access program that feeds Marylanders and supports farmers. MMM removes economic barriers for Marylanders experiencing food insecurity, providing a dollar-for-dollar match for purchases made using federal nutrition benefits at participating Maryland farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs, while providing technical assistance, training, marketing, and additional services to stakeholders.
MarketLink is a program of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (“NAFMNP”). In partnership with the USDA and Novo Dia Group (“NDG”), MarketLink assists farmers and markets with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) Retailer Application, and connects them with free app-based SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (“SNAP/EBT”) processing equipment. We also offer options for integrated credit/debit payment processing. MarketLink has a long-term vision of sustainability for farmers and markets through a broader customer base, increased sales, and profitability.
Founded in 2013 in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, MarketLink has helped more than 3,000 farmers and markets accept electronic payments - including more than $69m in SNAP sales and $58m in credit/debit sales for a total impact of more than $127m. In 2019, USDA awarded NAFMNP a Cooperative Agreement to implement the 'free equipment program', providing grant funding for equipment to direct marketing farmers and farmers markets. In 2021, NAFMNP was awarded a USDA grant to help farmers accept SNAP benefits online.