Farmers Markets and Food Security

Farmers Markets and Food Security The United States faces food insecurity for families, and increasing economic insecurity for important producers of food. In 2010, almost 14 million households were receiving federal assistance to put food on the table, an increase of nearly four million since 2005. Small and independent agricultural growers and producers are also becoming increasingly vulnerable in the face of volatile national and international markets, often relying heavily on federal assistance.? Farmers markets serve as a medium for growers and producers to sell fresh produce to local consumers and generate a reliable income. They provide households access to fresh, affordable produce. Unfortunately some barriers prevent some low income households, particularly those receiving federal assistance, from purchasing produce at farmers markets. What is SNAP? Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formally known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federally funded program that provides nutritional benefits to eligible individuals. SNAP benefits include assistance paying for certain foods at certain venues, including many grocery and convenience stores, some farmers markets and food co-op programs. SNAP Recipients Nationwide 13 12 11 10. Who pays for SNAP? The federal government does, but state governments share 50% of the administrative and operational costs. In 2004, SNAP switched from using a paper form to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Top 10 States: Highest SNAP Participation similar to debit cards. EBT makes it easier 36.1% for governments to track program benefits, but the EBT terminals, which are required for tracking program benefits are an additional, and often costly, effect. Use of SNAP EBT cards require about $1,100 per EBT terminal in addition to monthly serivce fees.* Partially due to this prohibitive expensive, a majority of farmers markets nationwide do not offer SNAP benefits to 19% Circle area is proportional to the percent of farmers markets that accept SNAP 18% 2.5% 13.3% 5.3% 17% 15.7% 17.3% 16% 12.5% 15.8% 15% program participants. 14% 24.5% 8.3% 13% 1 2005-2010 American Community Survey [United States 1-year estimates] 2 P. Hazell, P. Colin, Wiggins S., Dorward A., The Future of Small Farms for Poverty Reduction and Growth. (Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute, 2007). 3 "SNAP/Food Stamps." Food Research and Action Center, 2010 4 "Food Stamsp. Now Paperless, Are Getting Easier to Use at Farmers" Markets," New York Times, 19 July 2009. OR TN MI KY MS ME wy LA RI SC States Farmers Market Accessibility SNAP Recipient Households (2010) 6.2% - 7.8% 7.9% - 9.8% 9.8% - 11.6% 11.6% - 13.9% 13.9% - 15.4% 15.4% - 17.9% Farmers Markets : Accepts SNAP : Does not accept SNAP oi os 1 One million 10 persons per state 15 10 50 Created by Emma Barnes, 3/2012 Primary sources: USDA Agricultural Census and Agricultural Marketing Service; U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census and American Community Survey: and the City of Portland, OR Parks & Recreations Percent of SNAP Recipient Households Million Households