Why shop at a farmers market?
- Fresh, healthy produce tastes better.
- Fresh produce is healthier - it hasn't lost nutritional value during transport.
- Fresh produce lasts much longer than store bought produce.
- You'll gain access to a wider choice of products.
- You'll save money with no middleman: SNAP participants can also get double with Virginia Fresh Match (VFM).
- You'll support your local farmers and local economy.
- Farmers markets often offer a variety of family- and community-oriented activities.
Get MORE fruits and vegetables when you spend SNAP/EBT
Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is a network of farmers markets, mobile markets, and community food stores across Virginia. VFM locations offer nutrition incentives that double the value of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) dollars spent on fruits and vegetables. With VFM, SNAP shoppers can afford more fruits and vegetables, local farmers earn extra income, and more dollars stay in the local economy.
Find a VFM location near you at www.virginiafreshmatch.org.
Using SNAP at farmers markets is easy:
- Bring your EBT card to the market office or information table - market staff are there to help.
- Choose the amount to charge to your card, then swipe and enter your PIN, just like at the grocery store.
- You'll receive tokens or vouchers worth DOUBLE the value charged to your EBT card. For example, swipe your EBT card for $10, get $20 worth of tokens.
- Then, spend your tokens like cash with market vendors on eligible products.
- Vendors can't give change for tokens, so work with vendors to make whole-dollar-amount purchases.
- If you don't spend all your tokens, hang on to them and spend them the next time you visit the farmers market.
- For more information about SNAP click here.
Other Resources About Farmers Markets
VA Family Nutrition Program (SNAP Ed):
- Farmers market recipe collection
- Recipe of the month and activity
- For more information about SNAP Ed, call the Virginia Family Nutrition Information and Referral Line, toll free, at 888-814-7627.
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
Virginia Black Farmer Directory
Resources for farmers markets and direct marketing farmers:
To become eligible to accept SNAP:
- Whether you are a farmers market or direct marketing farmer, you will need to apply for authorization to accept SNAP
- Once you receive approval you, will receive your Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) number
To receive a free wireless point of sale (POS) device, complete this form or email the information requested on the form to ask_vafm@dss.virginia.gov after approved to accept SNAP.
VA Farmers Market Association - association of farmers markets across VA that provides resources for member and non-member markets. Notable is their Market Manager Certification training which provides training on all aspects of farmers markets including accepting SNAP at the market.
Local Food Hub - an organization that advances equitable access to fresh food, independent farms, and fairness in farming.
