FAA5.K Using Benefits : 02 NA Farmer's Market Project
NA Farmer's Market Project
Information on this page refers to the Nutrition Assistance program
The Farmers' Market Project provides participants the opportunity to shop at EBT approved farmers' markets throughout Arizona.
Policy
The Farmers' Market Project and the Community Food Connection provides wireless Point of Sale (POS) terminals to EBT approved farmers' markets throughout Arizona. The POS terminals provided by the Farmers' Market Project and the Community Food Connection enable NA participants to shop for NA eligible products with their EBT cards.
Credit and debit cards can also be accepted. Service fees for credit and debit cards are covered by the market.
The ability to shop at farmers' markets expands participants' food choices and provides additional benefits of shopping at a farmers' market.
All of the following steps are included in the process for purchasing products from the farmers' markets:
The NA participant shops for eligible NA items.
The vendor writes the amount on a piece of paper.
The NA participant then takes the paper to the POS terminal. (The POS terminal is operated by the market host or hostess).
The NA participant swipes their EBT card through the terminal, takes their receipt to the vendor and collects their purchases.
The funds from the purchase go directly into the market's bank account. At the end of the market day, the market manager tallies up individual vendor sales to pay the vendors.
The Community Food Connection provides posters and brochures for market locations.
For the web address and additional information regarding the Farmers' Market Project and for a list of EBT approved farmers' markets, see Community Food Website and Valley View Community Food Bank.
Through the Double Up Food Bucks Program, individuals receiving Nutrition Assistance can take home twice as many fruits and vegetables when they use their benefits at select farmers markets. (See https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/food-assistance/double-food-bucks for more information.)
Legal Authorities
last revised 03/27/2023