Low-income residents in Middle Georgia and across the state will now have more access to fruits, vegetables and other food sold at farmers markets, thanks to a statewide effort that allows people to make purchases with their electronic benefit transfer cards.
Debuting in the spring, the option is now available at nearly 20 farmers markets across the state. In Middle Georgia, customers at farmers markets in Fort Valley and Sandersville can use the option, and Dublin’s farmers market will be equipped to offer it next year.
EBT cards are used by low-income people receiving federal benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to make food purchases.
Farmers market customers receiving EBT benefits can have their cards swiped at wireless machines at the market in the amount they would like to spend. In turn, they receive wooden tokens in $1 denominations with the logo of that farmers market and use them to make their purchases. The machines will also be able to do that with debit cards, benefiting shoppers without cash.
The program was implemented with a $100,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that targeted low-income communities, said Jerome Brown, project coordinator for the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Office through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“We hope to continue funds for markets throughout the state,” Brown said. “This is a start.”
Brown said another $100,000 has been secured to implement the machines at eight more farmers markets in the state next year, with a focus on bringing the option to more farmers markets in south and Middle Georgia.
Brown hopes making farmers markets accessible to more consumers will help those who live in food deserts — areas where people do not have access to healthy food and rely instead on alternatives such as convenience stores and fast food restaurants.
The option would also address issues such as childhood obesity and other health-related problems affecting local communities
The program would also impact those communities by creating green jobs, supporting local farmers and providing more healthy food options to consumers, Brown said.
“It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” he said.
The EBT option became available at the Fort Valley Farmers Market in mid-July, on the heels of the June ribbon-cutting for the market, said Kathie Lambert, program manager for Fort Valley Main Street Downtown Development.
There has been relatively little foot traffic at the market, but Lambert expects to see more shoppers as the fall arrives. She also predicts the market will benefit from visitors from the upcoming Hambone Jam on Friday and Saturday.
More than 40 vendors are registered to sell “Georgia made, Georgia grown products” in Fort Valley, Lambert said.
“It’s convenient,” she said. “It’s in our downtown area where people do travel.”
Customers at the Downtown Sandersville Farmer’s Market have also had the option of using the EBT machine for several weeks, said Susan Lewis with the Downtown Development Authority of Sandersville. While there haven’t been many customers that have used the option yet, Lewis hopes the concept will catch on as more people know it is available.
“This is part of an effort to improve the farmers market as a whole and reach out to more people, to give an opportunity for people who normally do not shop at the market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables,” Lewis said.
With the market taking place in the center of town at the Washington County courthouse square, Lewis hopes it will bring together residents both young and old.
“It’s something every member of the community can come out and utilize,” she said.
Plans are in place to make the EBT option available at Dublin’s Market on Madison by next summer — the height of activity at the market — said Kathy Jones, director of the Dublin Downtown Development Authority.
Vendors at the farmers market there already accept checks from the Georgia WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Jones said. Those receiving benefits through the federal Women, Infants and Children program are issued checks to be redeemed for farmers market purchases from May to October.
“We feel like these programs provide another opportunity for another segment of community to take advantage of the local farmers market,” Jones said.
Making the farmers market more accessible to more people encourages them to eat healthfully, as well as financially support local farmers, according to Jones.
“The market is for the community,” Jones said. “I want everyone to be able to use the market. It’s positive for downtown. It’s positive for Laurens County.”
To contact writer Andrea Castillo, call 256-9751.
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