Market Bucks FAQs for Farmers Markets
MY MARKET DOESN’T ACCEPT MARKET BUCKS. HOW DO WE SIGN UP?
The first step to accepting Market Bucks is to apply to accept SNAP through USDA. That process can take up to 45 days from the time you submit your application to the day you are approved, so it’s best to get started early enough before the start of your market season so that you have SNAP ready to go. If you need help navigating the SNAP authorization process, reach out to Jill Westfall (jwestfall@hungersolutions.org) and she can point you in the direction of a few great resources.
Once you are all set with SNAP, you need to complete an online application form for Market Bucks.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MARKET BUCKS AND PRODUCE MARKET BUCKS CARDS?
The Market Bucks cards are able to be used on any SNAP-eligible foods at your market, meaning your meat, dairy and baked goods vendors may collect those as well as produce vendors. The Produce Market Bucks cards can only be used to purchase fresh produce, like vegetables and fruits at the market.
WHAT CAN PRODUCE MARKET BUCKS BE SPENT ON?
While fresh, whole, raw fruits and vegetables are clearly ok for Produce Market Bucks, other items aren’t so clear. Here are some of the common questions (and answers):
- Canned vegetables or fruits – As long these are processed without any added salt, sugar, oils, or fats, they are eligible for Produce Market Bucks.
- Dried vegetables or fruits – As long as they are dried without any added salt, sugar, oils, or fats, they are eligible for Produce Market Bucks.
- Fresh & dried mushrooms – Ok for Produce Market Bucks
- Coffee beans – Ok for regular Market Bucks & SNAP, not for Produce Market Bucks
- Plants that produce fruits & vegetables- Ok for regular Market Bucks & SNAP, not for Produce Market Bucks
IS THERE A CAP TO HOW MANY MARKET BUCKS CAN BE USED AT MY MARKET?
No. Hunger Solutions will reimburse your market for the total number of Market Bucks redeemed throughout the season, as long as they are logged into the online portal at https://bit.ly/Market-Bucks by the 15th of the following month.
MY MARKET DOESN’T HAVE AN EBT CARD READER. CAN I STILL TAKE MARKET BUCKS?
No. You have to be able to accept SNAP-EBT in order to participate in Market Bucks. The state of Minnesota has an agreement with FIS, our state’s EBT processor, to provide free wireless equipment to farmers markets around the state.
To request equipment email the following information to FarmersMarket.Equipment.DHS@state.mn.us:
- Market/Farm Name
- Address
- Phone
- FNS #
- Contact Name (this must be the person approved with FNS)
SOME PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN REALLY NEGATIVE ABOUT MARKET BUCKS. WHAT DO I TELL THEM?
Every situation is different. Generally, when people are opposed to Market Bucks, we remind them that Market Bucks are a “win-win-win” for customers, vendors, and the community.
- Market Bucks help people who aren’t able to afford much fresh produce to purchase healthier items; and,
- Most farmers market vendors are small, local farmers. Participating in Market Bucks means they sell more of their products.
- Market Bucks and SNAP are good for the community. In 2022, the program generated over $1.5 million in economic activity across the state.
I NEED HELP WITH MY CARD READER / ACCOUNTING / STAFFING / SPONSORSHIP / OTHER TECHNICAL ISSUES. CAN YOU HELP?
No, but we can point you to some resources to help. For technical assistance on other aspects of running a farmers market, the Minnesota Farmers Market Association can help. Hunger Solutions only administers the Market Bucks portion of farmers markets.
I HAVE A GREAT IDEA FOR OUTREACH, BUT DON’T HAVE THE TIME TO DO IT. CAN YOU HELP?
We know that running a farmers market sometimes doesn’t leave a lot of time to promote Market Bucks. If you have a brilliant idea, let us know. We might be able to help you spread the word.
HOW DO I DO OUTREACH TO MY COMMUNITY? WHO SHOULD I BE REACHING OUT TO?
Reach out to organizations where people go for help or information in your local area. In addition to where you market your farmers market, be sure to reach out to local social services agencies – like Community Action, WIC offices, health care providers, and your local food shelf. Libraries and community centers are also a good place to leave information. Your local public health department or SNAP-Ed educator may also have good ideas on ways you can promote the program. Contact Hunger Solutions if you need contacts.
Fliers, location lists and posters are all available to order for free on our online store. Visit www.hungersolutions.org/store to order items that will help with your outreach efforts.
HOW DO I RECORD AND REPORT THE DATA?
Hunger Solutions has a sample tracking form that you can use at the EBT/info booth to track how many Market Bucks and Produce Market Bucks you have distributed and redeemed. Enter the data through the online portal (https://bit.ly/Market-Bucks) to submit it to us for reimbursement.
The new items included in reporting last year:
- # of transactions – this item is in addition to the # of new/unique customers at the market (We will send details and definitions of what those items mean as we get closer to the start of the market season)
- # of Produce Market Bucks distributed
- # of Produce Market Bucks redeemed
HOW DO I GET REIMBURSED FOR MARKET BUCKS?
Submit your data to Hunger Solutions via the online portal by the 15th of the following month. (For example, data for the month of June must be entered by July 15th.) Hunger Solutions will process the request and reimburse you using bill.com (either ACH or paper check) by the end of the month.
I FORGOT MY REPORTING LOGIN. HOW DO I RESET IT?
Email Jill Westfall (jwestfall@hungersolutions.org) and she can resend your login for the reporting system.
HOW DO I GET MATERIALS OR MORE MARKET BUCKS CARDS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?
The Market Bucks promotional materials are available to order for free here. There are also materials available for download in languages other than English. If you need more Market Bucks cards, please email Jill at jwestfall@hungersolutions.org
WHAT DO I DO IF SOMEONE COMES TO ME WITH AN EXPIRED GIFT CERTIFICATE OR VOUCHER?
Since the funding available for the gift certificates is limited, once a gift certificate is past its expiration date it is no longer valid. Let the customer know the card is expired, but encourage them to use their SNAP-EBT card to purchase tokens and get the regular Market Bucks match.
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE GIFT CERTIFICATES?
As part of the Legislative funding for Market Bucks, some of the funding is set aside for incentives to encourage people to try out the farmers market. If funding allows, gift certificates will be distributed to SNAP households and are meant to be used in innovative ways to get new SNAP/EBT users to your market.
Occasionally, other organizations will sponsor special Market Bucks gift certificates or vouchers to help promote the program and encourage local residents to try out the farmers market.
HOW MANY MARKET BUCKS CAN I GET?
As many as you want! We will reimburse markets using Market Bucks monthly, and there is no cap on the number of Market Bucks you can use.