Are Farmers Markets a SNAP?

Are Farmers Markets a SNAP?
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Background for Iowa EBT Wireless Project:
Began June 2005 with 10 farmers and 2 markets
DHS worked with IDALS to recruit farmers to participate
DHS acquires wireless POS devices and assigned to FNS certified farmers
Most Iowa markets managers are farmers who are there to sell their products
Farmers can use POS anywhere, anytime – 24/7
Farmers are able to accept any EBT card, as well as commercial debit/credit cards
Former Iowa DHS Director, Kevin Concannon, now USDA Undersecretary Concannon.
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EBT Wireless Project 2009:
Funding for 167 farmers
160 farmers participated
The farmers sell at 118 markets across Iowa; as well as roadside stands & on-the-farm sales
Recruitment much easier. Most farmers contact us about participating
DHS presence at annual Iowa Farm Bureau Conference & Iowa Fruit & Vegetable Growers Conference
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Financial History

Historically, October is the highest month for all sales
Historically, August is the highest month for EBT sales
Year to date sales are 24% higher than 2008
YTD EBT sales are 55% higher than 2008
As of Sept. 09, there were 145,887 SNAP households in Iowa

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Good News! EBT sales and transaction are increasing at a greater rate than in previous years.
June 09 EBT sales were 65% higher than June 08
July 09 EBT sales were 59% higher than July 08
Des Moines Downtown Market
Cedar Rapids Downtown Market
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Direct Outreach To SNAP Recipients
Annual brochure mailed or made available to all households
DHS website listing location/dates/time of markets where they can use EBT card
State advertising (radio, newspapers, local shoppers, etc)
Special shopping bags
Market/farmer advertising
Posters for DHS offices
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Outreach Via Farmers:
Provide signs to farmers to show that they can accept EBT
Have direct contact with farmers
Inform farmers how they are helping low-income families by becoming a FNS retailer
Require farmers to view training video
Identify the farmers who will be ‘cheerleaders’ for EBT
Send monthly newsletters to farmers
Provide color books to farmers
EBT aprons
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Outreach by Markets
Markets are creative. Get involvement from local businesses & city government/non-profits
Publicize events using local media
Davenport Freight House Market events:
Easter Bonnet Parade
Classes for canning/freezing (free jars/supplies for EBT families)
Offer free tote bags
Children events
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Find out what SNAP families think about shopping at farmers markets?
DHS provides farmers with ‘Customer Survey’ cards. These are distributed by the farmer when any customer makes a purchase.
Here are the results so far:
Why do you like to shop at farmers markets? (top reasons in descending order)
Good/fresh food
Fresh produce
Buy locally grown/made items
Support local farmers
It’s fun/relaxed atmosphere/music
How often do you shop at farmers markets?
Every week (54%) Bellman Dairy – WI Farmer
Every two weeks (13%)
Once or twice a month (10%)
More than once a week (9%)
As much as I can (3%)
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What did you buy today at the market? (Top 7 responses in descending order)
a) Fresh produce
b) Baked goods
c) Vegetable plants/fruit trees/bushes
d) Flowers
e) Honey/jam/jelly
f) Meat
g) Eggs
4. If a year-round market was in your area, would you shop at it during the winter months?
Yes 74.8%
No 14.5%
No response 6.6%
Depends or already has year-round market. 4.1%
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5. What services could the market offer or provide that would make
you shop there more often?(Top reasons in descending order)
a) Restrooms
b) Hand washing stations
c) Canning and freezing classes
d) Chairs/sitting area to relax and eat goodies
e) More variety, music, cooking demos, garbage cans, etc
How did you pay for your items today?
a) Cash 62%
b) Credit 14.7%
c) Debit 11.8%
d) EBT 10.4%
e) Other (senior FMNP/checks) 1.1%
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Additional comments from customers:
Keep having the markets. Need lower prices. I live on Social Security.
(EBT customer) I think it’s great that some vendors participate in EBT/WIC program.
(EBT customer) Thank you for making it possible to use the EBT card at farmers markets.
(EBT customer) Thank you for making EBT purchases possible at our farmers market. I found 4 vendors today who accepted EBT.
Keep up the good work!
(IA City customer) Please consider a year-round market.
I enjoy seeing what God has blessed so many of the vendors with.
Sometimes I can get things a lot less at the super market.
I am trying to stay local so that my impact on our environment is lessened to its smallest point
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I appreciate the meat from Geest Farms
Just love getting local, fresh produce
Quality is superb. More vendors should take farmer market checks (FMNP)
(Out of state customer) Hope Iowa leads the nation in supporting local food supplies. Great fun always.
Hand out recipes or directions for cooking
The lady who sells honey and soap is very sweet.
I like to shop at farmers markets because the vendors are friendly and like to answer questions.
I’m 73 years old & enjoy the whole idea of farmers markets. It’s a great tradition.
We want a market in Garner, IA.
Keep it coming!
Thank you for the EBT. It really helps.
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Summary
State agency(ies) need to be involved
Use SNAP admin dollars when possible
Create a Plan
Decide whether to certify the market or individual farmers
What type of equipment is to be used?
Decide whether to purchase, rent or get a ‘free’ POS
Determine how you will get data on your project (Where will it come from?)
Determine what paperwork is required (USDA Retailer App, banking application to accept credit/debit, etc)
Recruit farmers in fall/winter. Complete training prior to market season. (They’re too busy after April 15th to do paperwork)
Develop outreach/promotion approach
Develop monitoring schedule
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How will fees be paid? Who is paying for the standard monthly fees? Are you reimbursing the farmer/market?
What about supplies? (paper, cord replacements, battery, etc) Who is paying?
Communication issues – How will you communicate with farmers? EBT households? Market managers?
Last but not least, go have fun and make it work!
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Other References:

http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Assistance_Programs/FoodAssistance/FarmersMarket.html
The above link will display copies of the recent EBT Wireless Newsletters and provide access to dvd for EBT Wireless Project
For more information, contact Jan Walters (515) 281-3588 or jwalter1@dhs.state.ia.us