SNAP and Farmers’ Markets – Minnesota

More farmers markets take food stamps, By Mary Jane Smetanka, May 3, 2011, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune: “The drive to get fresh food to low-income Minnesotans is getting a boost this year with a big increase in the number of farmers markets that will accept food stamps. Eight new markets will allow customers to buy fresh fruit and vegetables with food stamps this year, bringing the number of markets belonging to the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association that accept food stamps to 13. While that doesn’t sound like a lot — there are an estimated 130 formal farmers markets in the state — using food stamps at those markets is a financial and technical challenge. Users of the federal program, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), buy food with a card that is swiped like a credit card. That requires a card reader and an electrical or wireless connection, which are not always easy to get at makeshift market locations…”