Do farmers markets take EBT?
Yes, if you get SNAP benefits (also called food stamps), there’s a good chance you can use your EBT card to shop for groceries at your local farmers market.
According to the USDA, there are more than 3,100 farmers markets across the United States that take EBT cards. In fact, you may even be able to double the value of your SNAP benefits when you use them at a farmers market.
Propel is the #1-rated EBT balance checking app
How to use your EBT card at a farmers market#how-to-use-your-ebt-card-at-a-farmers-market
There are a few simple steps to using your EBT card at your local farmers market. In general, you just need to:
- Bring your EBT card with you to the market—if you’re not sure where the closest farmers market is, your local SNAP office may be able to help
- Find the information booth and let them know you want to use your SNAP benefits—they’ll swipe your card and give you tokens or coupons to spend at individual vendor booths
- You’ll usually get one token per SNAP dollar, and the great thing is they don’t expire, so if you take out more than you need, you can use them next time
Just keep in mind that if you exchange your SNAP benefits for coupons or tokens at the farmers market, they can’t be refunded.
While this is the way SNAP benefits work at most farmers markets, some markets have different ways of taking EBT.
Some farmers markets may use a system that lets you shop first and then bring your receipt to the front and swipe your EBT card to pay, while other farmers markets let you swipe your EBT card at individual booths.
What can you buy at the farmers market with EBT?#what-can-you-buy-at-the-farmers-market-with-ebt
Just like when you’re shopping at the grocery store, you can use your SNAP benefits to buy any eligible-foods (the rules about what you can and can’t buy are the same no matter where you’re shopping).
SNAP-eligible groceries you can buy at a farmers market include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and seafood
- Dairy products, like milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Grains, bread, granola, and cereals
- Sauces, jams, and honey
- Snacks and desserts, like popcorn or maple candy
- Cold drinks, like cold apple cider
- Plants that produce food, like tomato seedlings
But farmers markets often sell things that cannot be purchased with EBT, like soap and lotions, clothing or toys, flowers, and any hot foods or drinks, so be aware of what you can and can’t buy with SNAP benefits while shopping at the farmers market.
How to double your SNAP dollars at the farmers market#how-to-double-your-snap-dollars-at-the-farmers-market
Some farmers markets participate in programs that can double the value of your SNAP benefits up to a certain dollar amount.
So you may be able to buy $40 worth of coupons or tickets to use at the farmers market by spending $20 of your SNAP benefits.
If your farmers market has an information booth where you can go to use your EBT card, ask about whether or not your benefits will be doubled.
There are similar options for WIC recipients as part of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which offers coupons for up to $30 each year that can be spent at the farmers’ market in addition to your regular WIC benefits.
Protecting your EBT card at the farmers market#protecting-your-ebt-card-at-the-farmers-market
When you’re using EBT at a farmers market, take the same steps to keep your EBT card and information safe from theft as you would anywhere else. That includes:
- Keeping your EBT card safely in your wallet when not in use so it is less likely to be stolen
- Not sharing your PIN with anyone—if a farmers market vendor asks you to write it down somewhere, ask if there’s another way to use your benefits
- Watching out for signs of illegal skimmers, like damaged or loose card readers
- Using the Propel app to keep an eye on your benefits and take advantage of security features, like the ability to block out-of-state transactions, lock your EBT card, or get alerts for suspicious activity
