The Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA),  along with the support of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, have been working to increase Link/SNAP access at farmers’ markets to support local farmers and improve healthy food choices in low-income communities.  IFMA has produced a Farmers Market brochure identifying those farmers markets in the state that accept the Link card and two videos to educate market managers on how to access equipment for their markets.  If your farmers market does not already accept the SNAP/Link card, these helpful tools are a great resource for getting started.   See links to brochures and videos below:

Brochure   SNAPbro-4panel (8)

 Map identifying DHS offices and Markets that accept SNAP/EBT   

Video SNAP Receipt – http://youtu.be/hXL2iXeeNTM

Vdeo SNAP Token – http://youtu.be/yjZWqSajs-Y

“This spring and summer I visited farmers’ markets throughout Illinois, encouraging everyone to visit local farmers’ markets to access fresh, local foods,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, chair of the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council. “More markets today are accepting SNAP and Link benefits, and it is important that we continue to make sure families know where they can buy locally produced fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and more. A healthy Illinois is good for all of us.”

IFMA is currently piloting this project at three Chicago DHS Family Community Centers.  Results will be shared and the brochure will be updated early next year and distributed at more DHS local offices, WIC offices and other social service providers. This outreach project should generate more interest from Link customers, farmers and other markets in the state to learn how to obtain the necessary electronic benefit transfer (EBT) equipment to take advantage of increase sales and obtaining healthy, local fresh food in their communities.

“While many markets post their information on various websites, there are still many SNAP participants and other program providers who are unaware of which farmers markets accept SNAP as well as their location and hours”, said Pat Stieren, Executive Director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association. IFMA is not only hoping to increase SNAP benefit usage at more farmers markets, but also wanting to make sure SNAP customers know where to find the market

Farmers markets that accept SNAP have grown from 33 in 2010 to 97 in 2013.  Sales through SNAP at Farmers Markets have grown from $32,600 in 2010 to $307,507 in 2013.  SNAP usage at farmers’ markets puts local dollars right back into the local economy, benefitting farmers and small businesses. Every $1 in new SNAP benefits spent can result in up to $1.80 in total economic activity

Currently, roughly 1 out of 6 Illinoisans receives SNAP benefits, with monthly estimated SNAP redemption amounts at $270 million.  Of this total, approximately 50% of the recipients are children. While there has been great success and increase in Link sales over the past six years, there is still more work to be done to provide Link customers with more healthy food options and access to local farmers and farmers markets in their communities.