THE FARMERS MARKET SNAP SUPPORT PROJECT SNAP is the acronym for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp program 1

PURPOSE We believe that farmers markets and their local community will be better off if all people are able to purchase fresh, healthy, local food. SNAP boosts economic activity within a community and benefits regional food producers by offering a solution for low-income people to access nutritious food. BACKGROUND Last October, Mass Farmers Markets was awarded a grant from FNS called the Farmers Market SNAP Support Grant (FMSSG). This grant provides funding for projects that increase SNAP accessibility and effectiveness of SNAP operations at farmers markets. 2

YOUR OPPORTUNITY Mass Farmers Markets will allocate these funds to eligible applicants who want to offer SNAP/EBT services at their farmers markets but are currently unable or struggling to do so mostly due to financial constraints. This opportunity provides funding for labor costs necessary for implementing SNAP programming at their markets. 3

The Farmers Market SNAP Support Project will provide funding to applicants in three areas: 1.OPERATING LABOR 2.EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES 3.OUTREACH LABOR 4

1. OPERATING LABOR Mass Farmers Markets will award funding for labor costs related to operating SNAP services at your farmers market. Time spent at market: – Setting up your work space, processing transactions using an EBT terminal, recording all transactions, distributing tokens, collecting tokens from vendors at the end of the day for reimbursement Time spent after market: – Accounting, reimbursing vendors, maintaining accurate records, creating progress reports Time spent on non-market days: – Conduct a SNAP training program for staff and farmers If you have a busy market you may want to consider hiring an EBT / SNAP Coordinator. This expense falls into the LABOR category. Decide how much you will pay this person. Decide how much time it takes for SNAP operations before and after market. 5

2. EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES The Farmers Market SNAP Support Project will cover costs necessary for implementing and operating SNAP programming during the market season. 6

Examples include: Scrip: Tokens, chips, paper scrip or another type of currency for SNAP shoppers Accounting software such as QuickBooks or Microsoft Excel Receipt books, log sheet, checks, storage materials Dedicated equipment such as a router, tablet or computer used exclusively for SNAP operations 7

EBT Terminals are not eligible. Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) has a program that provides free equipment. For more information go to Other costs not covered are printing expenses for flyers and other informational materials. The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) will provide flyers later this year for distribution. Quick Tip : Word of mouth is an incredibly effective tool to promote any new program. Also consider posting information in newsletters, community boards, listservs, the local paper, Facebook, websites. Note that you will account for the time spent on these activities as an Outreach expense. Quick Tip : Word of mouth is an incredibly effective tool to promote any new program. Also consider posting information in newsletters, community boards, listservs, the local paper, Facebook, websites. Note that you will account for the time spent on these activities as an Outreach expense. 8

3. OUTREACH LABOR The Farmers Market SNAP Support Project will reimburse applicants for the time you spend outside market hours to promote SNAP activities at your market. 9

Examples include: Hosting events Participating in community events Activities related to building relationships with potential partners Distributing educational materials 10 This category is similar to the OPERATING LABOR category but it is important to distinguish Market day activities from outreach work done during non - market hours.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS Progress Reporting More information about reporting requirements will be provided in the award documents. Keep in mind that you will submit detailed, accurate records on a quarterly basis. Technical Issues If you are having any problems opening documents please contact us ASAP. 11

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS In addition to a brief narrative regarding your project’s activities, you will submit the information below into the FMC data portal: # of SNAP Transactions Amount of SNAP Redeemed # of Farmers Able to Accept SNAP # of Educational Events Hosted # of Event Participants # of SNAP Outreach Materials Distributed Additional SNAP data sent to MFM no longer than 5 days after the end of each calendar quarter: Daily Number of SNAP shoppers (card swipes) Daily Number of vendors eligible to accept SNAP Daily Number of vendors redeeming SNAP benefits Changes in market hours and/or days Training Number of market staff trained Number of farmer-producers trained Public Accessibility & Outreach Number of SNAP events attended Number and type of SNAP outreach marketing materials disseminated New partnerships and any developments on existing partnerships 12

Let’s think about LABOR costs during a typical day at a farmers market…. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets: a How-To Handbook Appendix B 13

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ANY QUESTIONS??? or by phone at 15