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USDA Concerned by SNAP Access at Farmers Markets
USAgNet - 07/16/2018

In response to the recent news about access to farmers markets for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Brandon Lipps said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is concerned about continued program access.

"The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) was recently informed by a major provider of mobile EBT technology for farmers markets and farm stands that it will discontinue this service. With few providers in this marketplace, this is of great concern.

"Farmers markets play an important role in providing Americans with access to nutritious foods. FNS is committed to encouraging farmers market participation in the SNAP, to improve access for low income Americans while supporting economic opportunities for farmers and producers.

"Since being notified of the provider's decision to discontinue service, USDA has been exploring all available options in an attempt to avoid a service disruption. Our number one goal is to mitigate the impact on our program participants as well as farmers and producers."

By law, states are required to provide no-cost options for farmers markets and certain other retailers to accept SNAP. USDA reimburses states for 50 percent of these costs, like most other administrative expenses. The law does not require those solutions to be wireless, but FNS strongly encourages states to support wireless options.

Throughout the program, FNS has worked with three different contractors; the National Association of Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs (also known as MarketLink), the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), and most recently, Financial Transaction Management (FTM). All three contracts were awarded through an open, competitive process that complied with federal contracting law, and the companies were chosen because they were both technically acceptable and the best value. The most recent contract was awarded to FTM in March, and they are required to begin processing applications for wireless equipment from new markets and farmers this month.


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