Market Bucks FAQs for customers
WHAT IS MARKET BUCKS?
Market Bucks is a program to triple your SNAP-EBT purchases at farmers markets that participate. Spend $10 on your EBT card, get $20 free!
WHAT IS SNAP-EBT?
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal food assistance program. Benefits are placed on an electronic benefits transfer card (EBT) similar to a debit card. To see if you likely qualify for SNAP, use our SNAP Screening Tool or call us at the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO GET MARKET BUCKS?
All you need is your Minnesota SNAP-EBT card.
DO I HAVE TO SIGN UP FOR MARKET BUCKS?
No, all you need is to take your SNAP-EBT card to a participating farmers market during their open hours.
WHERE DO I GO TO GET MARKET BUCKS?
Go to the information or welcome tent at participating markets to get Market Bucks. If you can’t find the info tent, ask a market vendor and they can point you in the right direction.
DO I HAVE TO SPEND MY OWN SNAP-EBT IN ORDER TO GET MARKET BUCKS?
Yes. Market Bucks match up to the first $10 of SNAP-EBT you spend dollar-for-dollar. So if you spend $6 on your EBT card, you get $6 in Market Bucks and $6 in Produce Market Bucks. If you spend $12 on your EBT card, you will get $10 in Market Bucks and $10 in Produce Market Bucks.
DO I HAVE TO SPEND ALL OF THE MARKET BUCKS AND TOKENS AT ONE TIME?
No. You can use the tokens at the same farmers market any day they are open. You can also use Market Bucks at any participating market any time before they expire!
CAN I USE MARKET BUCKS EVERY WEEK?
Yes. You can spend your EBT dollars at farmers markets and get up to the first $10 you spend matched Market Bucks each time you visit a participating market.
DO MARKET BUCKS EXPIRE?
Yes, Market Bucks expire at the end of the farmers market season on Oct. 31st. Winter Market Bucks expire at the end of the winter farmers market season on April 30th.
WHERE DO I FIND A FARMERS MARKET TAKING MARKET BUCKS? HOW DO I FIND OUT IF MY MARKET PARTICIPATES IN MARKET BUCKS?
There are a few ways to find a participating farmers market. You can:
- Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.
- Find a market on the map.
- Download the market location brochure. (Greater MN, Metro)
WHAT IS A FARMERS MARKET?
A farmers market is a food market where local farmers sell their products directly to people in the community. Most markets are open once a week from May or June to October. Some markets are open multiple days.
WHAT DO FARMERS MARKETS SELL?
Farmers markets vary based on the farmers participating in the market. Most have fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. Some have dairy, eggs, meat, baked goods, jams, and pickles. Early in the farmers market season, they may have seeds or plants for sale so you can grow your own produce at home. Learn more about what’s in season at the farmers market at Minnesota Grown.
WHAT CAN I BUY WITH MARKET BUCKS?
With your Market Bucks cards, you can buy any SNAP-eligible food available at the farmers market. These include fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, dairy, honey, jams, jellies, pickles, baked goods, and seeds and plants that produce food.
With the Produce Market Bucks cards, you can purchase fruits and vegetables sold at the farmers market.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
By helping SNAP-EBT users stretch their dollars at the farmers market, we’re helping make sure everyone has access to fresh, healthy, local food!