Food Access at Farmers Markets
SNAP/EBT
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the nation’s largest nutritional assistance program. A few markets across Alaska accept SNAP.
At these markets, shoppers visit the market information booth and swipe their EBT card. The market then provides tokens/voucher for the amount swiped on the card. The shopper then spends the tokens with market vendors on SNAP eligible items(fruits, vegetables, baked goods, seeds, meat, jams & jellies, bread, fish, vegetable starts, syrup and honey, dairy, and poultry.)
Want to become a SNAP authorized market? Watch AFMA’s SNAP Authorization webinar here!
Need Food Assistance apply for SNAP benefits here. If you are encountering severly delayed SNAP Application approval find support here.
WIC & Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Program
The Women and Infant Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides vouchers for low-income seniors, pregnant women, and women with young children to purchase fresh, healthy food at farmers markets. These programs are federally funded with the goal of increasing the awareness, use of, and sales at local farmers’ markets as well as provide fresh, unprepared, Alaska grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs to low income seniors and WIC participants.
Interested in applying to accept Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers? Click here
AFMA’s Market Match
SNAP authorized markets have the ability to participate in AFMA’s Market Match program. This program provides markets with resources and funds to double the SNAP EBT dollars of Families and individuals enrolled. Learn more below or apply here!
How AFMA Market Match Works
SNAP Authorized Markets and Farm Stands can receive funding to provide customers who use SNAP/EBT benefits with a $1 for $1 match for up to $40, giving them up to $80 to spend on qualifying produce! AFMA Market Match is executed by the Farmers Market/Farm Stand, administered by Alaska Farmers Market Association, and funded by the State’s Designated Legislative Grant Program.
If you are a SNAP authorized market or farm stand with a valid FNS you can Apply to recieve funds to participate in the Market Match program!
How it works
If you are a SNAP/EBT Authorized Market/Farm Stand
- Fill out AFMA’s Market Match Application here
- Become Familiar with the Market Match Reporting Documents and Steps for reimbursement
- Start Matching!
- SNAP customers make a purchase with their Quest card at a designated booth. Upon purchase the market will provide the customer with the amount of scrip they purchased and can match up to $40
- For Example: A customer bought $10 on their Quest card. They receive $10 in market scrip and an additional $10 in market match
- Market staff record the amount purchased with Quest card and the amount matched for each transaction
- Markets Reimburse Vendors(as agreed upon between market and vendor)
- Market reports Matching numbers and invoicing to AFMA on a monthly basis
- AFMA will reimburse Market Dollars Matched on a Monthly Basis
What Does AFMA Provide?
- Program specifications and guidelines
- Market Match Reimbursement
- Stipend for Market/EBT coordinator(your point person for SNAP at the market)
- Stipend for some supplies and promotional materials
- Technical Assistance and program support as needed
If you are SNAP/EBT Recipient:
- Go to a participating market’s information booth and tell them you’d like SNAP Market Match
- Swipe your EBT card for the amount you want to spend
- You will receive that amount in EBT tokens and the same amount in SNAP Market Match dollars. Markets match $40 or more per day, check with your local market for their daily match amount.
- Shop for:
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- Mushrooms
- Fresh herbs
- Seeds and plants that produce food (for example, tomato seeds or tomato plants)
Questions?
To find out more about market match and SNAP at farmers markets email foodaccess@foodaccessalaskafarmersmarkets.org
Food Equity and Justice
Organizations & Coalitions
Learn about other groups in Alaska focused on agriculture and food security.
National Young Farmers Coalition
AFMA and NYFC are working closely to form the “Beginning and Young Alaskan Farmer Chapter.” This chapter strives to support Alaska’s beginning and young farmers. Stay tuned for more information.
The Alaska Grown Program is designed to increase consumer awareness of Alaska’s agricultural products.
Alaska Division of Agriculture
The Alaska Division of Agriculture promotes and encourages the state’s agricultural industry development.
The Alaska Farm Bureau’s mission is to improve the economic well-being and expansion of agriculture and to enrich the quality of life for all Alaskans.
Alaska Farmland Trust is a statewide effort to protect Alaska’s farmlands for future generations.
AFPC’s goal is to create a healthier, more secure, and more self-reliant Alaska by improving our food system.
Food Bank of Alaska is proud to sponsor the Alaska Food Coalition (AFC), a dynamic group of anti-hunger advocates from all corners of the state. More than 120 non-profit, faith-based and state agencies work together to support policies and programs focused on alleviating hunger, building healthy communities, and promoting access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. Farmers markets are a partner in these efforts.
Buy Alaska connects consumers to Alaska businesses and helps grow Alaska’s economy.
Farmers Market Coalition works with farmers market operations to strengthen farmers markets across the country.
Food Bank of Alaska’s vision is a hungry-free Alaska. AFMA is proud to work closely with this organization.