Did you know that the Capital City Public Market now accepts food stamps?

When we first started selling at the market in 2008, the refugee farmers immediately noticed that their neighbors and ethnic communities did not shop at the farmer's market.  When we tried to do some neighborhood markets in those locations, it became clear why.  Many refugees use food stamps, which we didn't yet have the technology to accept, and didn't want to spend cash on food until their benefits were used up.  Food stamps are now in the form of a debit card known as EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), so accepting them at farmers' markets is not as simple as it was in the days of paper stamps.  We are very proud of this accomplishment for the CCPM, which represents 2 years of work and organizing by market managers, vendors, and volunteers.

Did you know that the Fresh Fund matches EBT purchases up to $10 at the market? 

Thanks to a grant from the Wholesome Wave Foundation, as well as numerous other local donations, we are able to provide a 2-for-1 program for EBT users.  When users scan their EBT cards for $10, they also recieve $10 in Fresh Funds Coupons, good to spend with vendors on fresh, local foods.  Because farmers' markets, and fresh foods in general, tend to be more expensive than packaged, grocery store foods, this extra incentive helps level the playing field a bit by giving EBT users more buying power.  Research by the Wholesome Wave Foundation and others has found that just a $5-10 incentive is effective in drawing EBT shoppers to the market who might not otherwise choose to shop with local farmers

How it works:

Users bring their EBT cards to the red tent in the middle of the market, where it says EBT Accepted Here.  We also accept debit and credit cards at this location.  A volunteer will scan the card and give the user wooden tokens to spend with the vendors, like cash.   The vendors are reimbursed for the sales later.  The volunteer will also give the customer up to 10 free $1 coupons, for each dollar spent on his or her EBT card.  So, the customer has charged $10 to his or her EBT account, but has $20 to spend at the market.

Just like everywhere else EBT is accepted, it can't be used to buy hot foods or alcohol.  But you can get fruits and vegetables, locally produced meats, breads, honey, and specialty foods like salsas and homemade pasta. 

The Fresh Fund depends on local donations!!

Wholesome Wave provides half the funding for this program, and asks that we raise half locally.  Thanks to the many donors who have contributed to the Fresh Fund!  If you would like to know how to make a donation to this program, contact Katie at kpainter@idahorefugees.org or 208-336-4222.