New technology helps food stamp recipients at farmers' markets

Colorado

The Colorado Farmers' Market Association recently received a $57,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to provide wireless terminals at farmers' markets for the processing of food stamp transactions.

"We are so happy to have been chosen as one of 20 such grant recipients in the country," said Sally Haines, CFMA executive director. "This grant will transform the landscape at farmers' markets, providing access to locally grown food for thousands of Colorado families and nourishing the bond between farmers and their communities."

The CFMA represents 58 farmers' markets throughout Colorado. In addition to purchasing the wireless terminals which will allow the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, CFMA will work with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and the Colorado Department of Human Services to establish a statewide system for authorizing markets and processing Food Stamp transactions.

Because Food Stamp recipients are now issued Electronic Benefits Transfer debit cards instead of paper coupons, they have been unable to shop at farmers' markets in Colorado which typically do not have access to electric power or telephone lines necessary for the point-of-sale machines which process EBT transactions. The expense of wireless EBT terminals, coupled with the need for a system to process the transactions has prevented Colorado farmers' markets from participating in the USDA Food Stamp program. This USDA grant will enable Colorado farmers' markets to accept Food Stamps beginning in the 2007 season.

"This new technology will help both food stamp recipients and local farmers," said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. "The capability to process EBT transactions will open farmers' markets as a source of fresh, local agricultural products for Colorado residents who use Food Stamps, and their inclusion will mean a larger customer base and increased revenue for Colorado farmers."

For more information, contact Sally Haines, Executive Director, Colorado Farmers' Market Association at 303-887-5972 or visit www.coloradofarmers.org.

Date: 11/20/06

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