The City of Alpharetta, in partnership with the Alpharetta Business Association (ABA), is happy to announce the rollout of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the Alpharetta Farmers Market. This initiative is part of the city’s commitment to ensuring all members of the community have access to fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced foods while supporting local farmers and vendors.
Starting in April, SNAP recipients can use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at the Alpharetta Farmers Market to obtain wooden tokens, which can be used to purchase eligible food items from participating market vendors. This program is a step toward making healthy food options more accessible to low-income families and senior citizens in Alpharetta.
“By incorporating the SNAP/EBT program into our farmers market, we’re not only addressing food insecurity but also supporting our local food system,” said Jim Gilvin, City of Alpharetta Mayor. “This initiative reflects our city’s dedication to offering the highest quality environment for our residents and businesses, while fostering a strong sense of community.”
In 2021, community meetings for the development of the City Agriculture Plan identified the inclusion of SNAP at the Alpharetta Farmers Market as a top priority for residents. The City Agriculture Plan was developed and adopted by Alpharetta City Council in December 2022. Since its adoption, the Alpharetta Business Association, which coordinates the weekly Alpharetta Farmers Market, has been working with city staff and community organizations to become a SNAP-approved farmers market by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“We are very happy to offer this service to the community and to expand the customer base for our market vendors,” said Beth Johnson, Board Member of the Alpharetta Business Association We know from talking with other farmers markets that introducing this program truly benefits everyone.”
How SNAP Works at the Alpharetta Farmers Market:
- 1. SNAP participants visit the Alpharetta Business Association (ABA) tent at the Alpharetta Farmers Market to exchange their EBT benefits for tokens in $1 and $5 increments.
-
2. Tokens can be used to purchase eligible food items from participating vendors.
3. Participating vendors collect tokens and submit them to the Alpharetta Farmers Market for reimbursement.
4. Payments to vendors are processed semi-monthly through PayPal, providing a streamlined and efficient system.
5. Consumers can take home tokens they do not spend and use them on a future market day at the Alpharetta Farmers Market with participating SNAP qualified vendors.
SNAP benefits can be used at the Alpharetta Farmers Market to purchase a wide variety of nutritious foods including fresh produce, meats, dairy, grains, and more. For a complete list of eligible and ineligible items, please visit the Alpharetta Farmers Market website at https://www.alpharettafarmersmarket.com/.
Vendors interested in participating will receive training on program guidelines, including eligible products and transaction processes. The Alpharetta Farmers Market is committed to supporting vendors with this new program offering and ensuring everything runs smoothly for all.
For more information on the SNAP/EBT program or to inquire about vendor participation, please visit www.AlpharettaFarmersMarket.com.
_______________________________________________________
FAQ: SNAP/EBT Program at the Alpharetta Farmers Market
1. What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income seniors and families to help them purchase nutritious food. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card, which works like a debit card, to purchase eligible food items.
2. Why are the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the City of Alpharetta bringing SNAP to the Market?
The City of Alpharetta is committed to making a positive difference in the community by providing effective services and leadership that exceed the expectations of our citizens. Accepting SNAP at the Alpharetta Farmers Market benefits both the residents and businesses that the city serves.
3. How does the SNAP/EBT program work at the Alpharetta Farmers Market?
SNAP recipients can:
- Visit the ABA Tent to exchange EBT benefits for tokens.
- Use these tokens to purchase eligible food items from participating vendors.
- Vendors submit tokens for reimbursement from the Alpharetta Farmers Market at the end of each market day. Payments are processed twice a month via PayPal.
4. What foods can be purchased with SNAP benefits?
Eligible items include:
- Fresh produce, meats, dairy, grains, and packaged foods.
- Condiments, honey, oils, spices, and seeds.
- Goods intended for later consumption (e.g., loaves of bread, whole cakes, a bag of coffee grounds).
- For a more comprehensive list of eligible items with examples: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items
5. What items are not eligible for SNAP benefits?
Ineligible items include:
- Hot foods or foods intended for immediate consumption.
- Non-food items, alcoholic beverages, pet food, and supplements.
- Single-serving baked goods or beverages.
6. How are vendors reimbursed?
At the end of each market day, vendors submit collected tokens at the Alpharetta Business Association tent. Payments are processed twice a month via PayPal.
7. How do vendors sign up for the program?
Interested vendors can sign up with the Market Manager, Valerie Rye at Manager@AlpharettaFarmersMarket.com. Training will be provided to ensure they understand the program guidelines and eligible items.
8. How do vendors make changes to the tokens?
No tax is charged on eligible food items, and no change is given for purchases made with the SNAP program tokens.
9. Were City of Alpharetta tax-payer dollars used to fund this program?
No. SNAP is a federally funded program of the USDA.
10. How can I learn more about the program?
For additional details, visit AlpharettaFarmersMarket.com or contact the Market Manager, Valerie Rye at Manager@AlpharettaFarmersMarket.com.