Farmers’ market patrons using their Ohio Direction Card at North End Farmers’ Market (NEFM) can now enjoy twice the market goodness with NEFM’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Match Program.
NEFM, through a grant provided by the Fran and Warren Rupp Advised Fund of the Richland County Foundation, will offer vouchers for up to $20 of fresh produce to match what shoppers spend with their Ohio Direction Card, also known as the Ohio Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT Card.
Shoppers assess what they want to buy before using their Ohio Direction Card to purchase “scrip,” or vouchers, at the market, said North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) Community Gardens/Local Foods Coordinator Jean Taddie. They are then given an equal amount, up to $20 per card on each market date, in Match vouchers, she explained.
The Match vouchers may only be used to purchase fresh produce.
Patrons may use the Ohio Direction Card to purchase edible items that are normally purchased with benefits such as baked goods, herbs, meat and dairy items, fruits and vegetables, as well as seeds and plants that will produce food.
The program began July 8, and has had positive feedback, said Taddie. She added that many young families, as well as local seniors, take advantage of the program.
The goals of the SNAP Match program are to encourage shoppers who receive Ohio Direction Card benefits to eat healthy and purchase locally grown foods, increase access to fresh produce in Mansfield’s North End, as well as increase opportunities for local farmers and market gardeners.
Vendors are reimbursed for the vouchers. Taddie noted that the market is still accepting vendor applications for the current season, and that fresh greens are very much in demand.
“We are trying to ask our customers what they want and educate the growers,” said Taddie, who noted that the market is scheduled to continue until Oct. 28. “We really want to encourage our growers to think cool crops, to think of that third season of the year – the fall season.”
She added that vendors need not sign up for the whole season. “We encourage people in the community to vend and give it a try,” she said.
If it’s a community garden that just wants to come one time and raise some seed money for next year, or a home grower that wants to proudly say everything they spent for their garden was paid for by their market sales, all are welcome, she added.
Craft items and baked goods are also welcome, though the market’s policy is that items be homemade or home grown. Vendor applications may be downloaded from the NECIC website.
“Next year, we would love to see this offered weekly,” Taddie said of the market.
NEFM is sponsored by NECIC, the North End Elders, the United Steelworkers Union, and local growers.
The market offers free parking, free admission, and also accepts cash as well as EBT.
The market is held rain or shine from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday each month, with the next market being held Aug. 12. The market is located at 376 West Longview Ave., in the parking lot of the United Steelworkers Local 169.
More information, as well as a preview of available items for each market, may be found at the market’s Facebook page.
