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EBT Farmers' Market Nutrition Project

 

The need for EBT at California Farmers’ Markets – Why and How

EBT token boothCalifornia no longer issues paper food stamps. Eligible recipients of food assistance in California are now issued a debit card called a “Golden State Advantage” card (known also as an “EBT card” or a “food stamp card”), and access their food benefits electronically by swiping their card when they buy food at the grocery store. California Farmers’ Markets, and other outdoor food markets and produce stands, do not usually have the electricity and phone lines needed for all eligible food vendors to deal with electronic benefit transfers. Therefore, many such markets allow all eligible food vendors to sell eligible food products to EBT cardholders by setting up a Central Point of Sale (POS) Device to sell market scrip to customers, who can then shop in the market with the scrip. This system requires the market management to become authorized to accept EBT food benefits and to organize and promote the use of EBT cards at the market.

How to accept EBT at your Farmers’ Marketfarmers' market vendor


A Simple Guide for Market Managers - Updated March 2008 (.pdf, 332 KB)


State EBT Scrip Guidelines (.pdf, 36 KB)


State EBT Scrip Participation Agreement (.pdf, 72 KB)


Poster: "We Gladly Accept EBT" (.pdf, 284 KB)


Flyer (Bilingual): "EBT Accepted Here" (.pdf, 396 KB)


Sample record-keeping forms, market descriptions & vendor agreements

EBT Token Daily Redemption Report (.doc, 48 KB)

EBT Monthly Usage Report (.doc, 56 KB)

Berkeley Farmers’ Markets Information for EBT Scrip (.pdf, 100 KB)

Sample Vendor Agreement (.doc, 44 KB)


Promoting Nutrition to Food Stamp Recipients at CA Farmers' Markets (.pdf, 145 KB)


Other promotional resources


Project Newsletters

August 2007 (.pdf, 288 KB)

March 2007 (.pdf, 556 KB)

February 2006 (.pdf, 252 KB)

October 12, 2005 (.pdf, 460 KB)

June 17, 2005 (.pdf, 177 KB)

April 7, 2005 (.pdf, 460 KB)

February 14, 2005 (.pdf, 1.7 MB)


EBT Project big poster 2005 (.pdf, 2.4 MB)


Welcoming Food Stamp Customers Back (.pdf, 4.3 MB)


In The News

Real Food For All - Edible San Francisco, March 13, 2008 (.pdf, 8 KB)

Por una alimentación con justicia y salud - La Opinión Digital, October 22, 2007 (.pdf, 192 KB)

Group spreads message about ag - Fresno Bee, March 1, 2007 (.pdf, 56 KB)

Cherry Avenue Auction Goes High-Tech - July 8, 2006 (.pdf, 176 KB)

Fruit, veggie vendors take EBTs from federal food stamp program. - Fresno Bee, July 7, 2006 (.pdf, 64 KB)

EBT Comes to Stockton and Tracy Farmers' Markets (.pdf, 174 KB)


Farmers' Market EBT Trends 2004-01 to 2006-12


California Farmers' Markets That Accept EBT (.pdf, 212 KB)


Farmers' Market EBT Projects in Other States

EBT Guide — Louisiana (.pdf, 480 KB)



Network for a Healthy CaliforniaThe Ecology Center is coordinating the EBT Farmers' Market Nutrition Project to assist eligible Farmers' Markets that accept EBT to promote nutrition and healthy eating through increased EBT redemption for fresh fruits and vegetables. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Stamp Program, an equal opportunity provider and employer, through the Network for a Healthy California. For more information on Food Stamp Benefits, call (888) 328-3483.

 
 
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