Let’s navigate the EBT equipment world together. This article addresses the free SNAP EBT Equipment Program and discusses additional options for ineligible markets. All markets that accept SNAP/EBT must possess a machine that processes the EBT transaction. Free Equipment? The USDA-funded (free) SNAP EBT Equipment Program has reopened (more info here). This is a […]
Best Practices
Low-tech and no-cost methods for accepting EBT
October 10, 2018 CategoriesIf your market is new to accepting SNAP/EBT, or if you’re only processing a few SNAP transactions each week, it may be worth pursuing the low-tech and no-cost approach to accepting EBT. Below are your two options: Option 1: Free landline machine from Maine DHHS via Conduent The Maine Department of Health and Human Services […]
Buying your own EBT Equipment
October 10, 2018 CategoriesIf you’re looking to purchase EBT equipment for your SNAP program, without the help of a grant to subsidize the cost, then you should fall into one, or ideally all, of these categories: Our market has offered SNAP for years; Our vendors are dedicated to keeping this program sustained; We have enough shoppers using SNAP/EBT […]
Seafood at Maine Farmers’ Markets
June 21, 2018 CategoriesFresh seafood is always very popular at farmers’ markets, but navigating the rules around what is required for licenses/permits can be confusing for market managers. This is because most food safety issues at farmers’ markets are regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) and the Department of Health and Human Service (for […]
“Vendors Wanted” Facebook Page
February 17, 2018 Categories
Markets that are seeking new vendors may post to our Facebook page, @MaineVendorsWanted. For best results, be sure to include the deadline for application, links to necessary materials, and information about where/when/how long the market takes place.
Making Your Market More Accessible to All
January 17, 2018 CategoriesAccessibility at the Market At the 2018 Maine Farmers’ Market Convention (1/11/18), Ketra Crosson, OTL, and Jill Johanning, AIA, gave a presentation about accessibility at farmers’ markets. Jill and Ketra discussed the importance of topics such as secure footing, providing “handicapped accessible” parking (when the permanent blue parking spaces may be obscured by the farmers’ […]
Plan B – when Credit/EBT devices fail
July 25, 2017 CategoriesPrepare for the Rainy Days! Here is a simple step that will save your market a lot of stress in the case of an EBT device error. This page will explain: How to order manual vouchers Why your market should have these How to use your manual vouchers Manual Vouchers Paper Vouchers can be used […]
Working the market info booth – a success story from Augusta
July 21, 2017 CategoriesA strong Maine Harvest Bucks program requires a good deal of effort, and often one person can make a major difference. This was the case for the Augusta Farmers’ Market at Mill Park, which first began offering SNAP nutrition incentives in 2014, and added an “info booth” (where SNAP and other transactions are processed) in […]
Donated Produce and Tax Deductions
June 14, 2017 CategoriesCharitable Donations of Produce and the Tax Implications By Kristin Krokowski (reprinted with permission) Over the years there has been a lot of confusion about charitable donations of farm and garden produce and how that relates to tax deductions. After all there is always some good cause to donate your excess produce to – the […]
Thinking about selling prepared foods?
August 31, 2016 CategoriesWe’ve been hearing from more people interested in selling prepared foods at markets. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has a helpful bulletin, Recipe to Market: How to Start a Specialty Food Business in Maine, with details about what is required for various types of foods, and links to excellent resources (including commercial kitchens that […]