Accepting Food Assistance
For direct market sales, the best way to expand your customer base is for you (or your market) to accept SNAP benefits as a form of payment. Below are several active programs in Arizona that you can opt into. Find a complete list of programs here.
SNAP Benefits (f.k.a Food Stamps)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps). Simply put, SNAP helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. Locally, SNAP is administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), which determines eligibility and allotments, and distribution of benefits.
Eligibility is based on a household’s resources, income and other requirements. Through various nutrition education partners, SNAP also supports clients in making healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.
SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic benefit card (EBT) that is used like an ATM or debit card.
Arizona farmers and Farmers Markets interested in accepting SNAP benefits as a form of payment can review requirements and apply.
SNAP Match Programs
“SNAP Match” Programs are financial incentives where the value of SNAP benefits can be doubled when used for fresh, Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables. Essentially, it is another form of currency that helps participants buy your produce. The wins of these programs are three-fold: low-income consumers eat more healthy food, local farmers gain new customers and make more money, and more dollars stay in the local economy.
For instance, a SNAP-user can spend $10 on any SNAP-eligible product (like bread and cheese), and then they can receive an additional $10 to spend on fresh, Arizona-grown fruits and veggies. At some markets, up to $20 of spending can be matched through this program, per day! In 2017 alone, these programs resulted in an additional $120,685 spent at local farmers markets and put in the pockets of Arizona farmers at participating sites.
Here are the SNAP Match programs active in Arizona:
Double Up Food Bucks AZ
Dollar Amount: Up to $20 per day
Administered by: Pinnacle Prevention
For locations & more info: http://www.pinnacleprevention.org/doubleupfoodbucksaz.html
Contact: Jessie Gruner, jessiegruner@pinnacleprevention.org
Fresh Fund
The Fresh Fund program is available only at the IRC New Roots Farm Stand in Maryvale.
Dollar Amount: Up to $10 per day
Administered by: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
More info: https://www.camelbackyard.com/fresh-fund
Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children, and Seniors
The Arizona Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a federally funded program to increase awareness of and sales at Farmers Markets to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in income-eligible women, children, and seniors.
Program participants use special checks to purchase fresh produce directly from Approved Growers at Approved Farmers’ Markets. Like the programs above, these direct purchases of locally grown fruits and vegetables increase the farmer’s share of the food dollar, keep more of the consumer dollar in local communities, and increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among eligible participants.
Farmers Markets across the state are eligible to accept these benefits and increase their customer base. Learn more about the program and how to join the FMNP program.