09/15/2014 by Bob Buccieri
Consider becoming eligible to accept SNAP at your market: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits or Food Stamps accepted at your farmers market allows SNAP clients to purchase nutritious locally grown foods while supporting local farmers.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most current version of the food assistance plan, generically known as ‘Food Stamps’. In 2014, Virginians in every county in the Commonwealth were collectively issued more than $1.4 billion in SNAP benefits! So accepting SNAP benefits at your farmers market allows SNAP clients to purchase nutritious locally grown foods while supporting local farmers.
Why should you consider this? To begin with, let’s dispel some common myths as to the recipients of these funds. Over half of the adults receiving this assistance hold full time jobs or multiple part time jobs. The largest single group of recipients are children under the age of 12, second are senior citizens over age 65. In Virginia, nearly one in four residents are in need of some sort of food assistance, whether it be SNAP, Meals on Wheels, or public/private food bank provisions.
The bottom line is: this is a significant market that farms and farmers markets may not wish to ignore.
In 2012, just over $80,000 in SNAP funding was redeemed at farmers markets; in 2013, this number was $105,000. More than 30% increase is encouraging. Any of us would welcome that kind of growth in our bottom line! But consider the fact that this represents 0.000085% of the total statewide SNAP funding, and you see the potential for sales growth for your market.
There are many reasons to support SNAP at your farm stand and market: to improve the nutritional value of the diet of those on assistance, help your neighbors get fresh, vital produce, and bring new shoppers and their families into your market. At the end of the day, the business reasoning cries out for our small businesses to lay claim to the considerable funding available, which is going in large part to big box retailers and national chain stores.
Why do you think all these department stores have invested in increasing their grocery areas? They are chasing the revenue potential. Do any of them sell vegetables you would be willing to feed your family? This alone states the potential for farm markets to be able to garner substantially more income from this group of customers.
For more info on how to become SNAP-eligible at your market, check out the Tool Kit for SNAP/EBT and the other VFMMA resources!