Farmers Markets and Food Stamps

Farmers markets in Massachusetts seek to boost their trade in food stamps as use soars, By Dan Ring, August 8, 2011, The Republican: “Operators of farmers markets in Western Massachusetts are attempting to boost their share of a growing group of customers – people with food stamps. The use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, or food stamps, in Massachusetts is exploding, having grown 61 percent over the past three years. To take advantage, the state and some market managers are dangling incentives for recipients to buy at the markets including grants to markets for electronic payment terminals and certain matching dollars for consumers. Another key goal of the effort is to encourage low-income families to eat more nutritious vegetables and fruits…”