AQUIDNECK GROWERS’ MARKET IS NOW PART OF USDA’S SNAP PROGRAM!
Beginning Wednesday, July 21st (2010) at the Newport farmers’ market site on Memorial Boulevard Parkway, the Aquidneck Growers’ Market (AGM) will be able to accept the EBT cards that are part of the USDA SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Program.
The AGM has secured approval from the USDA to be an authorized vendor and has worked with the Providence-based organization, FARM FRESH RI, to acquire an electronic point of sale (pos) terminal. The “pos” terminal will enable the market management to conduct banking transactions on site–here’s to wireless technology!. The Aquidneck Growers’ Market will be utilizing the Farm Fresh RI token economy system called “Fresh Bucks” to facilitate the electronic banking.
The EBT card that is part of the SNAP program enables community customers to shop at the AGM farmers markets (in addition to regular stores) for the freshest food locally available. The “Fresh Bucks’ system at the market enables the SNAP customer to purchase local produce and fruit, meat, bread, cheese, “take home prepared food” and seeds or plants that produce food. SNAP customer Fresh Bucks may not be used to purchase hot food or drinks, flowers, non-food items such as soap or plants that do not produce food.
The Aquidneck Growers’ Market is now able to accept EBT and credit card transactions weekly at both market sites: Wednesday afternoons in Newport and Saturday mornings in Middletown. The banking transactions will take place at the AGM Market Manager’s tent—not with the individual farmer/vendor. Market Manager, Jennifer McCabe will be rewarding the first twenty-five (25) Fresh Bucks customers at the markets this week with fun re-usable market bags.
For more information contact:
Jennifer McCabe, AGM Market Manager @ #401-835-4402 or
Aquidneck Growers’ Market
(401)848-0099 phone
aquidneckgrowersmarket@verizon.net
