Family, Consumer Sciences, Nutrition

Colorado Department of Agriculture

www.ag.state.co.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Wendy White, (303) 239-4119

Colorado Farmers' Markets Accepting Food Stamps

LAKEWOOD , Colo. - Colorado 's harvest is approaching and farmers' markets are beginning to pop up across the state. Food Stamps will now be legal tender at some farmers' markets in Colorado , thanks to a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Colorado Farmers' Market Association (CFMA).

Because Food Stamp recipients now use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) debit cards instead of paper coupons, they have been unable to shop at farmers' markets which do not have access to electric power and telephone lines necessary for the point-of-sale machines which process EBT transactions. The USDA grant awarded to the Colorado Farmers Market Association is providing the wireless technology to process the food stamp debit cards.

"This new technology will help both food stamp recipients and local farmers," said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. "The capability to process EBT transactions will open farmers' markets as a source of fresh, local agricultural products for Colorado residents who use Food Stamps, and their inclusion will mean a larger customer base and increased revenue for Colorado farmers."

Currently 18 farmers' markets across the state are signed on to the program.  For a complete list for those markets accepting EBT cards, visit http://www.coloradofarmers.org/find_a_market.htm

"We've had a good response from our members to the program," said Sally Haines , CFMA Executive Director. "We still have funding for additional EBT machines, and we'd like to sign up even more markets this year."

According to USDA Food and Nutrition Service statistics, Colorado has more than 99,000 Food Stamp Program households which could benefit from being able to shop at community farmers' markets, especially those in rural areas. The program enables participating Colorado farmers' markets to accept Colorado Quest Card Food Stamp benefits beginning this season. Food Stamp customers should inquire whether their local farmers' market accepts EBT and encourage those that haven't yet to apply for the program.

For more information, contact Sally Haines , Executive Director, Colorado Farmers' Market Association at (303) 887-5972 or visit www.coloradofarmers.org .

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The Colorado Farmers' Market Association is a member-owned association of the independent owners and managers of farmers' markets throughout Colorado .  Established in 1995, the Association has fifty-three member markets.  The Association is dedicated to the promotion of Colorado farmers' markets, to provide networking and support for market managers, and to obtain market data and develop standards for farmers' markets in the state.

No endorsement of products named is intended nor is criticism
implied of products not mentioned.