Arizona Farmers' Markets Welcome Food Stamp Customers

What is the Food Stamps/EBT at Farmers' Market project?

The project will provide wireless Point of Sale (POS) terminals to 20 Farmers' Markets throughout Arizona so that Food Stamp customers will have the opportunity to utilize their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or QUEST cards at these Markets. With the implementation of wireless EBT technology at select Markets, EBT customers will be able to shop for food stamp eligible products with their EBT benefits and thereby expand their food choices as well as experience the additional benefits of shopping at Farmers' Markets.  

How Does the Project Work?

Community Food Connections will provide Point of Sale (POS) terminals and pay for monthly service fees and wireless charges to approved markets. With this terminal, credit and debit cards can also be accepted; however service fees (18 cents a piece) for credit and debit transactions must be covered by the market. The EBT customer can use their QUEST card to access their benefits through the Market's centrally located POS terminal. The customer will shop for the (eligible) items they want, have the vendor write up the amount on a piece of paper the customer can take to the POS terminal, operated by the market host or hostess. The customer will swipe their card through the terminal then bring their receipt back and give it to the vendor and collect their purchases. The funds from the purchase go directly into the market's bank account. At the end of the market day, the market manager will tally up individual vendor sales in order to pay them - by check, cash or credit them to any stall or market fees.   

What is an EBT Approved Farmers' Market?

An EBT Approved Farmers' Market must

1. Submit an application to and receive approval from USDA to become a food stamp vendor.
2. Submit a second application to and receive approval from CardService International, a company that contracts to do the banking transactions.
3. Have a bank account.
4. Be located in an area where the wireless POS device can operate: i.e., receive a clear transmission signal from the Motient transmitter, or be able to plug into a phone line, and/or electricity.
5. Be located near where EBT customers live.
6. Provide space for a booth from which to operate the wireless equipment and to promote nutrition education and food stamp outreach.
7. Provide an on-site manager during Market hours.

  Where do I begin to become an EBT Approved Farmers' Market?

1. Call the FNS office at the USDA, toll free, 1.877.823.4369 to receive an FNS packet to become eligible to take Food Stamps.
2. Contact Cindy Gentry at Community Food Connections to help guide you through the process.
   P.O. Box 22216
   Phoenix, AZ  85028;
   Telephone (602) 493-5231
   FAX (602) 296-4255
   e-mail cgentry@foodconnect.org

Project Partners

Arizona's Food Stamps/EBT at Farmers' Markets project is a collaborative effort to help low-income people increase their access to healthy foods while building community and economic assets through local food production and distribution. Partners include: Arizona Community Action Association, Association of Arizona Food Banks, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Community Food Connections, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local farmers and farmers' markets. The project is funded in part through a Community Food and Nutrition grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Children and Family Services.