Vermont recently took the top spot in the 2013 Localvore Index, meaning it has the nation's greatest number of farmers' markets, food hubs, and CSA programs per capita.
As part of the effort to ensure that all Vermonters have access to local foods and to ensure farmers a bigger customer base, 45 farmers' market sites in Vermont - more farmers' markets than ever before - now accept 3SquaresVT benefits via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
According to Erin Buckwalter, direct marketing and food access coordinator at the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, 3SquaresVT brings more than $12 million into the state each month.
“Increasing 3SquaresVT purchases at farmers' markets allows farmers and other local businesses to capture more of these federal resources,” Buckwalter said in a press statement.
As word spreads about EBT availability at markets, more Vermonters are taking advantage of the option, and markets are enjoying the economic benefit, she said. In 2012, markets earned nearly $70,000 in 3SquaresVT/EBT sales, according to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
More than 100,000 Vermonters, or one in six, receive 3SquaresVT, the group says.
According to Angela Smith-Dieng, 3SquaresVT advocacy manager at Hunger Free Vermont, it's a program that works for everybody.
“Every spring I hear from participants who want to be able to buy healthy, local food. Increasing access to farmers' markets allows them the opportunity to buy high quality, affordable food for their families and support their local farmers and community at the same time. It's a win-win for everyone,” she said in a statement.
To help Vermonters stretch their food budget and encourage new customers to try out the market, most markets that welcome 3SquaresVT via EBT cards will also offer “Harvest Health” coupons beginning in July. For every dollar EBT customers spend at the market, they'll receive a dollar match in coupons - up to $10 per market day.
This year's Harvest Health incentive project is funded by the Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Vermont Legislature through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, along with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and the Wholesome Wave Foundation.
According to Buckwalter, seven years ago, no farmers' markets here accepted EBT cards. This year, more than half of all markets in the state welcome the benefits, she said.