MEDIA RELEASE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made funds available that enable the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide eligible farmers markets and direct marketing farmers with free electronic benefit transfer (EBT) equipment to process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Administered through the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), the Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program expands access to fresh produce for SNAP beneficiaries and expands commerce options for farmers and farmers markets.
The program is available to only to SNAP-authorized farmers markets and direct marketing farmers that were authorized before Nov. 18, 2011.
If the applying farmers and farmers markets receive approval, the FMC will cover the costs of purchasing or renting SNAP EBT equipment and services (set-up costs, monthly service fees, and wireless fees) for up to three (3) years.
Though transaction fees will not be covered, the selected farmers and farmers markets can choose their own SNAP EBT service provider from a list of participating companies.
The Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program is a first-come first-serve opportunity, and the program ends when the funds have been distributed.
If a farmers market or direct marketing farmer isn’t yet SNAP-authorized, or became SNAP-authorized on or after Nov. 18, 2011, they may be eligible for free equipment through MarketLink.
— Find out more:
www.marketlink.org
www.humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd
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