Additional Community Programs
The Montgomery Farmers’ Market has, from its’ beginning, had a goal of helping others in the community. The initial assistance programs, SNAP/EBT, now are augmented by additional Community Programs.
Along with cash and credit cards, we support the following programs that offer methods of payment:
- SNAP/EBT
- Produce Perks coins (we match up to $25 in SNAP purchases with free Produce Perks)
- SFMNP (Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program) Vouchers
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Fruit and Vegetable Program
- Produce PRx (Prescription) Program
What is SNAP?
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Formerly, the SNAP program was known as Food Stamps. It is a federal program which helps families stretch their food budget. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers markets.
What Foods can SNAP Benefits Buy?
SNAP benefits can be used to buy many food products including fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, eggs, cheese, milk, coffee beans, hummus, and even plants that can be used to grow food like tomatoes or herbs. You can’t use SNAP benefits to buy hot, prepared foods from a food truck or restaurant, or foods meant to be eaten at the market.
Why Accept SNAP at the Market?
The MFM Board made the decision to accept SNAP at the market so that our market is open and accessible to all residents of Montgomery and the surrounding communities. There are people in every single community that need some help, so we want to make sure that anyone who wants to shop at our market has the opportunity to do so.
What is Produce Perks?
Produce Perks is an Ohio based matching program for SNAP. The Produce Perks Program allows SNAP customers to swipe their Ohio Direction card at the market and, for every $1 of SNAP benefits they use, they will get $1 of Produce Perks tokens that can be used on produce at any participating Produce Perks location. (Visit their website for a list of all locations where Produce Perks is currently accepted.)
The Produce Perks program provides a $25 match on SNAP/EBT and P-EBT purchases. This means that any amount spent with SNAP/EBT or P-EBT, up to $25, will be matched $1-for-$1. Produce Perks matching dollars can be spent on fruits and vegetables. That makes your produce 50% off!
Will this Benefit Me?
If you utilize SNAP benefits, this will certainly benefit you, but even if you don’t you may see some benefits. First, as a bonus to accepting SNAP benefits via EBT cards, the market will also be able to accept credit cards. So if you forget to get cash before you show up on Saturday mornings, or if you unexpectedly find something wonderful to buy, you don’t have to leave to find an ATM, you can swipe your credit or debit card right there at the market manager’s booth. Second, by opening the market up to more customers, it will strengthen the market as a whole, allowing us to attract and keep great vendors, meaning more great products for you to buy!
How Do I Use My EBT or Credit Card?
It’s easy, just bring your EBT or Credit card to the Market Manager’s Booth on Saturday. We’ll swipe your card and you can purchase special “Farmers Bucks” that you can use at the market. SNAP Farmers Bucks can only be used on SNAP eligible items, but Farmers Bucks purchased with credit or debit cards can be used on any item at the market, just like cash. We will charge a small fee on credit/debit card swipes. This covers the fees that our processor charges us and helps us pay the fees for folks who swipe their EBT cards.
The Fruit and Vegetable Program
The Fruit and Vegetable Program funded through TANF, is a new program to allow Ohio’s low-income families to purchase more healthy foods.
Click the logo below to read some of the details
Produce Prescription Program (PRx)
The Produce Prescription program distributes coupons to low-income pregnant mothers with diet-related illnesses. Produce Perks partners with health care clinics and the doctors distribute coupons to the moms on a monthly basis during her pregnancy and up to the first year of the baby’s life.
PRx participants receive vouchers for use at local farmers’ markets so that choosing fresh vegetables or fruits is an economically feasible choice.
<- Click the PRx logo for more information
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Fruit and Vegetable Program
The TANF Fruit and Vegetable coupons are distributed by various partners to low-income individuals that meet the following three requirements:
- Are a US Citizen or meet a citizenship exception
- Have children in the household or are pregnant
- Are at or below 200% FPL
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Vouchers
The Council on Aging provides $50 in vouchers for low-income area older adults to be used for fresh, local produce and honey.