California Farmers’ Market Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Implementation and Promotion Project

The need for EBT at the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market – Why and How

California no longer issues paper food stamps. Eligible recipients of food assistance in California are now issued a debit card called a “Golden State Advantage” card (known also as an “EBT card” or a “food stamp card”), and access their food benefits electronically by swiping their card when they buy food at the grocery store. California Farmers’ Markets, and other outdoor food markets and produce stands, do not usually have the electricity and phone lines needed for all eligible food vendors to deal with electronic benefit transfers. Therefore, many such markets allow all eligible food vendors to sell eligible food products to EBT cardholders by setting up a Central Point of Sale (POS) Device to sell market scrip to customers, who can then shop in the market with the scrip. This system requires the market management to become authorized to accept EBT food benefits and to organize and promote the use of EBT cards at the market.

Visit the Ecology Center's California Farmers’ Market Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Implementation and Promotion Project website by clicking here. Collective Roots is making plans for implementing this service at the East Palo Alto Farmers' Market. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with this effort, please contact Wolfram Alderson by clicking here.