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Contact: Sally Haines, Executive Director
News Release
For Immediate Release Colorado Farmers’ Market Association
303-887-5972

USDA Grant for Food Stamp Terminals at Farmers’ Markets
New wireless technology will enable Food Stamp recipients to use EBT debit cards at Colorado farmers’ markets Boulder, Colo.

(November 1, 2006) Colorado Farmers’ Market Association receives USDA grant for Food Stamp terminals at farmers’ markets. Representing 58 farmers’ markets in Colorado, the Colorado Farmers’ Market Association (CFMA) recently received a significant grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP) for $57,000 to provide wireless terminals at farmers’ markets for the processing of Food Stamp transactions.

In addition to purchasing the wireless terminals which will allow the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, CFMA will work with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and the Colorado Department of Human Services to establish a statewide system for authorizing markets and processing Food Stamp transactions. Sally Haines, CFMA Executive Director: “We are so happy to have been chosen as one of 20 FMPP grant recipients in the country, and to be able to provide the ability to process Food Stamp transactions for the benefit of our communities and farmers in Colorado.”
Food Stamp Recipients Will Be Able to Shop at Farmers’ Markets: Because Food Stamp recipients are now issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) debit cards instead of paper coupons, they have been unable to shop at farmers’ markets in Colorado which typically do not have access to electric power or telephone lines necessary for the point-of-sale machines which process EBT transactions. The expense of wireless EBT terminals, coupled with the need for a system to process the transactions has prevented Colorado farmers’ markets from participating in the USDA Food Stamp program. The result has been a barrier for Food Stamp recipients from access to fresh, local food at their community farmers’ market. This USDA grant will enable Colorado farmers’ markets to accept Food Stamps beginning in the 2007 season. Ronald Eicher, EBT Program Director with the Colorado Department of Human Services: "I am pleased and excited that the Colorado Farmers' Market Association received a USDA/FNS grant to make the excellent fresh produce of its markets available to those who receive Food Stamp benefits. Good nutrition through Food Stamp benefits available through the EBT QUEST debit card is a basic goal of our program."

One Step Closer to Food Security for Colorado Communities: As we become more reliant upon the transport of our food over long distances, questions of food safety and distribution have become more important to communities everywhere. Compounding the
problem of food security for many Colorado residents has been lack of access to locally grown food at farmers’ markets. 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. Sandra Brown, Manager of the Uncompaghre Farmers’ Market in Montrose, Colorado: “We have a food insecurity problem here with over 1000 boxes of food currently going out to families in need from (our) Food Bank, and several of the churches are feeding many also. So a Farmer's Market Food Stamp Program would be a welcome addition.”

Colorado Farmers Will Benefit from Inclusion of Food Stamp Purchases: 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. While urban sprawl, drought and high operating costs threaten farmers, the increased sales can grow the business of farmers’ markets, help farmers stay on the land, and strengthen the fabric of communities across the state. Gloria Stultz, Manager of the Cañon City Farmers’ Market and CFMA President: "The members of the Colorado Farmers' Market Association are excited about taking our markets to a new level with the ability to accept Food Stamps at Farmers' Markets in the state. We have always been community-based and look forward to introducing the experience of shopping at Farmers' Markets to all of our citizens.”

The USDA grant for wireless EBT will transform the landscape at farmers’ markets, providing access to locally grown food for thousands of Colorado families and nourishing the bond between farmers and their communities.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service, EBT Benefits Transfer Status Report, September 2006

Resource Information
Sally Haines, Executive Director, Colorado Farmers’ Market Association, 303-887-5972
Gloria Stultz, President, Colorado Farmers’ Market Association, 719-269-7683
Ronald Eicher, EBT Program Director, Colo Dept of Human Services, 303-866-2928
Irene Wise, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Regional Office (Denver), 303-844-0379
Errol Bragg, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (Washington, D.C.), 202-720-8317
USDA News Release No. 0344.06: Johanns Awards 20 Grants under the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program