COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services released a list of 92 farmers’ markets across the state that will accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
That includes 23 markets and farm stands in Cuyahoga County.
All farmers’ markets on the list will accept the Ohio Direction Card, which the state’s 1.4 million SNAP recipients use to buy food.
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet and lifestyle,” said Kimberly Hall, director of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in a statement. “Not only can Ohioans support local farmers through this program, but they can use their benefits to stretch their budgets and access nutritious food.”
SNAP recipients who live near farmers’ markets received letters from the state notifying them of the benefit.
When visiting farmers’ markets, Ohio Direction Card holders can purchase either scrip, tokens or receipts from the EBT booth to use throughout the market.
To buy food from a single farm stand, Ohio Direction Card holders can use the cards, just as they do at retail stores.
Furthermore, nearly all the farmers’ markets participate in Produce Perks, a program that provides a dollar-for-dollar match on up to $20 spent on fresh fruits and veggies using an Ohio Direction Card.
The list indicates whether farmers’ markets participate in Produce Perks.
Farmers markets in Ohio have accepted SNAP benefits for at least seven years. The SNAP program helps both producers and recipients. Nationally, over $22.4 million was spent in SNAP benefits at farmers’ markets in 2017.