SNAP the Food Stamp Program

[Elizabeth Roberts]

SNAP the Food Stamp Program
by Robert Andrew Smith & Elizabeth Roberts, MPH

Hunger in the US is at an all time high and on the rise. It is estimated that Americans receiving Food Stamp Program (FSP) benefits increased 8.1% in FY 2008. In FY 2007, more than 26.4 million people received FSP each month, at the annual cost of $30.4 billion. The majority live in poverty; more than half are children and the elderly.

In October 2008, the United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Division renames FSP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Title IV of the 2008 Farm Bill re-authorizes this entitlement program, expands eligibility and increases benefits to keep pace with the rising price of food. SNAP, the largest domestic nutrition assistance program, is America’s safety net against hunger and malnutrition supporting low-income families in need of food.

In North Carolina, the name of the program administering FSP benefits changed to the Food and Nutrition Services Program. What did not change is the stated purpose of the federal Food Stamp Program Act of 1977: “to safeguard the health and well being of the Nation's population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households while strengthening the Nation’s agricultural economy.” Spending benefits with SNAP-approved farmers supports both agriculture and benefits recipients. For decades, recipients shopped at farmers’ markets using coupons called food stamps; local, healthy food was available to people of all socioeconomic statuses and farmers had access to a diverse customer base. In June of 1999, in compliance with changes to the Federal program, NC replaced paper food stamps with electronic benefits transfer (EBT) technology, using a debit-style card. Because markets could not process EBT, benefits recipients lost access to local, healthy food; the spirit of the Food Stamp Act was violated.

Farmers across America lost customers and revenue. According to Nestle in Food Politics, farmers who sell to commercial retailers receive, on average, 20% of every food dollar; 80% goes to processing, distribution and marketing. Vending at farmers’ markets provides the farmer the entire food dollar. When farmers accept FNS benefits and engage in direct market sales, the local economy is stimulated, small farmers are supported, benefit recipients have access to local, healthy food and the mission of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is fulfilled.

Despite the long-term U.S.D.A. FNS goal for EBT development, most NC farmers no longer participate with SNAP; they lack the technological, bureaucratic, financial, managerial, and administrative capacity. In fiscal year 2005, NC Farmers comprised 1% of all U.S.D.A. authorized NC food merchants and received less than 1/10th of 1% of all purchases made by the 844,000 NC benefits recipients. This is significantly less than $31,000 in benefits redeemed at NC farmers’ markets a decade prior, when paper food stamps were used.

The 21st Century Farmers’ Markets time has come.

Years in the making, NC’s 21st Century Farmers’ Markets program reunites farmers and benefits recipients. Technical, administrative, financial, managerial, and in-kind support is provided to farmers’ markets; program participation enables small, low-income farmers to process EBT, credit and debit transactions at farmers’ markets. Customers receive convenience, courtesy and access; farmers increase sales and revenue.

21st Century Farmers’ Markets piloted at three, Piedmont, NC farmers’ markets in 2006. Its success resulted in funding to enroll several dozen additional markets. Enrolled markets receive free wireless handheld card processing terminals, equipment and supplies, education and training, promotional material, bookkeeping and accounting services, and membership. Participation in the 21st Century Farmers’ Markets program is beneficial to farmers, benefits recipients and the entire community.

21st Century Farmers’ Markets is lead by the Leaflight, Inc., with support from the GoldenLEAF Foundation, the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Social Services, the NC Division of Public Health, the Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch, Got to Be NC at the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the NC Fruits & Veggies Nutrition Coalition, U.S.D.A FNS, local farmers and community members.

The Leaflight invites NC’s farmers’ markets’ representatives, cooperative extension agents, county health departments and social services offices to apply to participate in 21st Century Farmers’ Markets. The application and cover letter can be downloaded at http://www.leaflight.org/download.
For additional information please contact Emelia D Chabot, MPH RD LDN mia@leaflight.org or 919 619 8119.

21ST CENTURY FARMERS’ MARKETS
Now Accepting EBT, Credit and Debit cards:
Asheville City Market
Carrboro Farmers' Market
Columbus County Community Farmers' Market
Davidson Farmers' Market
Lexington Farmers' Market
Lincoln County Farmers' Market
Madison County Farmers' & Artisan's Market
Onslow County Farmers' Market
Piedmont Farmers' Market
Riverfront Farmers' Market
Rockingham County Farmers' Market
Salisbury-Rowan Farmers' Market
Watauga County Farmers' Market
Western Wake Farmers' Market
Yancey County Farmers' Market

Soon Accepting EBT, Credit and Debit cards (Fall 2010):
Jackson County Farmers' Market
North Asheville Tailgate Market
Pitt County Farmers' Market
West Asheville Farmers' Market

Your Farmers’ Market Name Here