At Market Currency
This is an outline of the currencies available at the market, currency restrictions and the vendor reimbursement process. Vendor business owners and on-site staff are encouraged to honor all forms of BFM currency and required to understand the rules of acceptance for each form of currency.These programs are essential to create greater access to the market and to increase sales for market vendors.
SNAP Token Program
To receive market tokens, shoppers use their SNAP/EBT card at a BFM Information booth. The tokens come in a $1 denomination. Be aware: Other farmers markets use tokens for currency. Only accept “Bend Farmers Market” branded tokens. We are unable to reimburse other markets’ tokens, and will return them to you.
· Customers purchase $1 tokens with EBT/SNAP cards from all 50 states. In Oregon, SNAP benefits are on an Oregon Trail Card, which looks similar to a credit/debit card.
· There is no purchase minimum or fee to obtain SNAP tokens.
· Unused $1 tokens may be refunded to a customer’s SNAP account at the BFM information booth.
· Eligible items: most foods, including fruits, vegetables, animal protein, dairy products, edible seeds, baked goods to be taken home and plants intended for growing food.
· Prohibited items: non-food items (such as, candles, non-edible tinctures) ready-to-eat foods, hot foods, alcoholic beverages and flowers). It is illegal to exchange SNAP benefits for these products.
· $1 tokens may never be given as change for any market purchases for any reason. Any misuse of the $1 tokens compromises BFM’s eligibility to accept SNAP benefits at the market. It is a privilege to offer this service to our customers and we have been through a rigorous application process to be granted authorization. Help us maintain our eligibility by following the rules.
· Please work with SNAP customers to modify purchases to reach a whole dollar value. Should a whole dollar not be reached, provide the customer with a receipt displaying the vendor name and amount due to the customer. The customer can bring this receipt back to one of the BFM Info booths for refund to the customer’s SNAP account.
SNAP Matching Programs - DUFB
Despite the support of government programs like SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), many families struggle to put food on the table. To help fill the gap and get more farm-direct produce into the hands of our low-income community members, BFM has a matching program for customers using SNAP called Double Up Food Bucks. BFM and our partner organization, Farmers Market Fund, work to secure on-going funding for this match program. DUFB expire at the end of each year – Do Not accept a prior year’s currency. Details of the new currency will be communicated with vendors as at the beginning of each season.
Token reimbursement process:
· The Market Manager will come to your booth at the closing of the market day to separate and count $1 tokens and DUFB currency, and provide a receipt for your records.
· Reimbursement checks will be mailed to vendors twice per month
· Any $1 tokens used to purchase ineligible items will be retained by BFM without reimbursement. Sale of ineligible items with SNAP benefits is illegal and risks our ability to accept SNAP.
· Questions about token reimbursement should be directed to the BFM Market Manager.
· Market tokens may not be used to pay stall fees.
Farm Direct Nutrition Program and WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers
All BFM vendors selling eligible products are encouraged to participate in FDNP and the WIC FVV program. For a FDNP/WIC FVV farmer application packet, please contact the ODA at (503) 872-6600 or find information on the ODA website.
The Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP) is a state-administered federal nutrition program. FDNP funds go to low-income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and young children enrolled in the Women Infants & Children (WIC) program and to eligible low-income seniors. These federal funds will be distributed as checks specifically to purchase locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables directly from authorized farmers at farm stands and farmers markets. Approximately $1 million dollars in vouchers is distributed annually.
To become an FDNP authorized farmer, you must own, lease, rent or sharecrop land to grow, cultivate or harvest crops on that land AND grow fresh fruit, vegetables or cut herbs in Oregon or a bordering county to sell at your farm stand or at a farmers market. All farmers must fill out an application and sign an agreement with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Department of Human Services. ODA will mail application packets to farmers who participated in the previous year in late February or early March.
HDFFA VeggieRx Program
HDFFA's fresh food prescription program (VeggieRx) connects patients who are experiencing food insecurity and have been diagnosed with a diet modifiable disease. This program aims to increase the access to and consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits by participants who receive tokens for produce as well as nutrition education.
· BFM vendors selling eligible products (fresh vegetables and fruits) are not required to participate in the VeggieRx program.
· VeggieRx tokens/vouchers are valued at $2 and $5. No change may be given.
Vendors are encouraged to honor all above forms of market currency
If you are not going to be at the market yourself, inform your employees about these programs and request that they graciously accept the coupons, tokens and vouchers.
SNAP Token Program
To receive market tokens, shoppers use their SNAP/EBT card at a BFM Information booth. The tokens come in a $1 denomination. Be aware: Other farmers markets use tokens for currency. Only accept “Bend Farmers Market” branded tokens. We are unable to reimburse other markets’ tokens, and will return them to you.
· Customers purchase $1 tokens with EBT/SNAP cards from all 50 states. In Oregon, SNAP benefits are on an Oregon Trail Card, which looks similar to a credit/debit card.
· There is no purchase minimum or fee to obtain SNAP tokens.
· Unused $1 tokens may be refunded to a customer’s SNAP account at the BFM information booth.
· Eligible items: most foods, including fruits, vegetables, animal protein, dairy products, edible seeds, baked goods to be taken home and plants intended for growing food.
· Prohibited items: non-food items (such as, candles, non-edible tinctures) ready-to-eat foods, hot foods, alcoholic beverages and flowers). It is illegal to exchange SNAP benefits for these products.
· $1 tokens may never be given as change for any market purchases for any reason. Any misuse of the $1 tokens compromises BFM’s eligibility to accept SNAP benefits at the market. It is a privilege to offer this service to our customers and we have been through a rigorous application process to be granted authorization. Help us maintain our eligibility by following the rules.
· Please work with SNAP customers to modify purchases to reach a whole dollar value. Should a whole dollar not be reached, provide the customer with a receipt displaying the vendor name and amount due to the customer. The customer can bring this receipt back to one of the BFM Info booths for refund to the customer’s SNAP account.
SNAP Matching Programs - DUFB
Despite the support of government programs like SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), many families struggle to put food on the table. To help fill the gap and get more farm-direct produce into the hands of our low-income community members, BFM has a matching program for customers using SNAP called Double Up Food Bucks. BFM and our partner organization, Farmers Market Fund, work to secure on-going funding for this match program. DUFB expire at the end of each year – Do Not accept a prior year’s currency. Details of the new currency will be communicated with vendors as at the beginning of each season.
Token reimbursement process:
· The Market Manager will come to your booth at the closing of the market day to separate and count $1 tokens and DUFB currency, and provide a receipt for your records.
· Reimbursement checks will be mailed to vendors twice per month
· Any $1 tokens used to purchase ineligible items will be retained by BFM without reimbursement. Sale of ineligible items with SNAP benefits is illegal and risks our ability to accept SNAP.
· Questions about token reimbursement should be directed to the BFM Market Manager.
· Market tokens may not be used to pay stall fees.
Farm Direct Nutrition Program and WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers
All BFM vendors selling eligible products are encouraged to participate in FDNP and the WIC FVV program. For a FDNP/WIC FVV farmer application packet, please contact the ODA at (503) 872-6600 or find information on the ODA website.
The Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP) is a state-administered federal nutrition program. FDNP funds go to low-income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and young children enrolled in the Women Infants & Children (WIC) program and to eligible low-income seniors. These federal funds will be distributed as checks specifically to purchase locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables directly from authorized farmers at farm stands and farmers markets. Approximately $1 million dollars in vouchers is distributed annually.
To become an FDNP authorized farmer, you must own, lease, rent or sharecrop land to grow, cultivate or harvest crops on that land AND grow fresh fruit, vegetables or cut herbs in Oregon or a bordering county to sell at your farm stand or at a farmers market. All farmers must fill out an application and sign an agreement with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Department of Human Services. ODA will mail application packets to farmers who participated in the previous year in late February or early March.
HDFFA VeggieRx Program
HDFFA's fresh food prescription program (VeggieRx) connects patients who are experiencing food insecurity and have been diagnosed with a diet modifiable disease. This program aims to increase the access to and consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits by participants who receive tokens for produce as well as nutrition education.
· BFM vendors selling eligible products (fresh vegetables and fruits) are not required to participate in the VeggieRx program.
· VeggieRx tokens/vouchers are valued at $2 and $5. No change may be given.
Vendors are encouraged to honor all above forms of market currency
If you are not going to be at the market yourself, inform your employees about these programs and request that they graciously accept the coupons, tokens and vouchers.