Maryland Guide to Accepting Federal Nutrition Benefits
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Published by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) by way of Maryland Market Money
This guide is designed to help Maryland farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers operating independent farm stands accept federal nutrition assistance benefits as payments for their products. The specific federal nutrition programs referenced in this guide include: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefits Transfer (SNAP/EBT); Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables, Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Seniors and WIC participants. This guide also addresses acceptance of credit/debit at the market, and the future of electronic incentives (e-incentives).
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Thank you for your interest in Maryland Market Money and accepting federal nutrition benefits at your farm or farmers market. Participating in these programs helps expand food access in your community while increasing sales opportunities for local producers.
Below is an overview of the process for becoming authorized to accept several common nutrition benefit programs in Maryland.
SNAP/EBT and SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
To accept SNAP/EBT and SUN Bucks benefits, retailers must first receive authorization from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
There are two ways farmers and markets can participate:
Market-level authorization: A farmers market applies for SNAP authorization and processes transactions on behalf of participating vendors.
Vendor-level authorization: Individual farmers or direct-marketing producers apply directly to USDA and accept SNAP at their own stand or business.
Before obtaining SNAP processing equipment, you must first become a USDA-authorized SNAP retailer.
To begin the application process, review the following USDA resources:
Farmers Markets: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer
Farmers Market Vendors and Direct-Marketing Farmers: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/farmer-producer
Apply to Accept SNAP Benefits: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer/apply-to-accept
MarketLink Support for SNAP Processing
Farmers and markets may be eligible for assistance through MarketLink, a USDA-supported program that helps direct-marketing farmers and farmers markets accept SNAP/EBT, SUN Bucks, eWIC, and credit/debit payments.
MarketLink offers:
Assistance with the USDA SNAP Retailer Authorization application
A free one-year subscription to TotilPay Go, a mobile SNAP/EBT processing platform
Technical assistance and onboarding support
Continued free subscriptions when annual SNAP sales thresholds are met
There are no transaction fees for SNAP/EBT or eWIC sales. Credit and debit transactions may incur processing fees.
Learn more about MarketLink at: https://marketlink.org
Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) allows eligible participants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables directly from approved farmers.
To participate as an FMNP farmer:
Create an account through Maryland OneStop and submit the Farmer Application Package.
Attend an FMNP training.
Once approved, receive your FMNP Farmer Handbook, promotional materials, and signage.
Download the Healthy Together mobile app and begin processing transactions.
Beginning in 2024, Maryland transitioned FMNP from a paper-check system to a digital platform using the Healthy Together app. Participating farmers are required to use the app to accept electronic FMNP benefits.
Apply here:
https://onestop.md.gov/forms/farmer-application-package-60d9f81c0dc62c01fcc198e2
WIC / WIC Cash Value Benefit (WIC CVB)
Farmers may also apply to accept WIC Cash Value Benefits for fruits and vegetables.
To participate:
Create an account through Maryland OneStop and submit the Farmer Application Package.
Attend an FMNP training.
Once approved, electronically sign the Farmer Agreement sent through Maryland OneStop.
Follow the instructions provided to begin accepting WIC CVB benefits.
Apply here:
https://onestop.md.gov/forms/farmer-application-package-60d9f81c0dc62c01fcc198e2
Maryland Market Money (MMM)
Maryland Market Money (MMM) is Maryland's statewide nutrition incentive program, providing matching funds to shoppers using federal nutrition benefits at participating farmers markets, farm stands, and CSA programs. The program helps increase access to fresh, local food while generating additional sales for Maryland farmers and food producers.
To be eligible to participate in Maryland Market Money, a farmer or the farmers market they attend must already be authorized to accept one or more eligible federal nutrition benefit programs, including:
SNAP/EBT and SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
WIC Cash Value Benefits (WIC CVB)
Once authorized for one or more of these programs, farmers and markets may apply to become a Maryland Market Money Access Point. Participating locations receive program training, marketing materials, technical assistance, and reimbursement for incentives distributed to eligible shoppers.
To learn more about Maryland Market Money eligibility requirements and apply, visit: https://www.marylandmarketmoney.org/mmm-application