Did you know you can buy healthy, good foods at your local farmers market with your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, just like you can at grocery stores?

Formerly called food stamps, SNAP helps people buy the food they need to stay healthy. It can be of great help for older adults who struggle to put enough food on the table.

You can use SNAP benefits at local farmers markets to get healthy foods, support local businesses, and meet new people. Some markets even give you a little extra to spend.

To find a farmers market in your area, visit the National Farmers Market Directory.

What can I buy at farmers markets with SNAP?

You can buy almost everything sold at farmers markets with your SNAP benefits. Vendors often sell a variety of foods, such as:

  • Fresh meats
  • Locally grown fruits and vegetables
  • Bread and pasta
  • Cheese
  • And other nutritious foods

Some items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits. They include common farmers market goods, such as:

  • Hot prepared meals
  • Fresh flowers
  • Handmade soap
  • And other nonfood or nonapproved items

For a complete list of what you can and cannot buy with your SNAP benefits, check out our full guide. 

How to shop at farmers markets with SNAP

When you arrive at your local farmers market, look for an information table. Ask the person working at the table how you can use your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy food. There are a few common ways they can accept SNAP payments at farmers markets:

  • Tokens: Many farmers markets use a token sysem. The person working the information table would swipe your EBT card and give you tokens to spend. You typically get 1 token for every SNAP dollar you want to spend. The tokens never expire, but they cannot be exchanged.
  • Receipts: Other farmers markets have you shop first and get receipts for the items you want to buy. You then turn in your receipts at the information table to pay for your goods with your EBT card.
  • Card readers: Some farmers markets are set up to accept EBT cards right at each booth. You simply swipe your card in the vendor's card reader machine with each purchase.

Because the payment systems vary, you should always check in at the information table first.

How to make the most of SNAP at farmers markets

Some farmers markets have incentive programs where they match every SNAP dollar you spend up to a certain amount. For example, you may be able to take home $20 worth of goods for only $10 of your own SNAP dollars. You can contact farmers markets near you to find out if they have a matching program.

How do I get SNAP benefits?

You can find out more about SNAP benefits, including information on how to apply right here on this website. Click here and simply start by entering your ZIP code. If you're still unsure about what to do, there may be an NCOA Benefits Enrollment Center near you. 

Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs) are community organizations that can help you find and enroll in all the benefits programs you may qualify for. They are free and 100% private. If you wanted to get started, just reach out to your nearest BEC and make an appointment to get help applying.