Staff photo by Fritz Busch The New Ulm Farmers Market now accepts SNAP/EBT cards for payments. SNAP card holders can triple their SNAP/EBT dollars with dollar-for-dollar matches of Market Bucks and Produce Market Bucks tokens. Market Bucks are provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to support local food producers and sellers, and ensure all people have access to nutritious, locally grown and made foods, regardless of income.

NEW ULM – New Ulm Farmers Market volunteer Theresa Keaveny was all smiles at the market manager table Thursday after the SNAP/EBT cards payment program went live.

Keaveny is a member of member of Heart of New Ulm FEAT (Food Environment Action Team). FEAT has been working to develop and support policies and practices that improve the access, availability and identification of healthy foods in venues throughout the community. Bringing SNAP to the Farmers Market was a goal for a few years. The program provides healthy food options for lower income people.

In addition to this expanding the customer base for the market, customers using SNAP will be able to increased their buying power with Market Bucks and Market Produce Bucks cards and tokens.

Keaveny said recently approved by the Minnesota Legislature, the program triples people’s buying power.

SNAP card holders can now triple their SNAP/EBT dollars at the Farmer’s Market. Up to $10 worth of EBT/SNAP dollars will be met dollar-for-dollar with Market Bucks and Market Produce Bucks cards.

Market Bucks are provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to support local food producers and sellers, and ensure all people have access to nutritious, locally grown and made foods, regardless of income.

A card reader is located at the market manager’s table at each Farmers Market event. Shoppers wishing to use their SNAP/EBT cards should stop at the table prior to shopping to swipe their card and received their tokens and Market Bucks cards that can then be used at Farmers Market vendors.

Mobile meat market vendor Chad Ruprecht of Wabasso said SNAP/EBT payment cards have been used at Marshall Farmers Markets for years that he was a part of.

“It’s great, for vendors and customers. It gives people more options including more fresh produce,” said Ruprecht.

“What an opportunity for people to get fresh vegetables, as long as people use it. You lose if you don’t use it,” said Darrell Platz of Comfrey-based Platz Produce.

SNAP cards can be used to buy fresh, locally-grown produce, fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs and other protein, baked goods, jams, jellies, honey and all foods that are SNAP-eligible at grocery stores.

New Ulm Chamber president Sarah Warmka said when it was announced the farmers market would be accepting SNAP/EBT cards, there was universal support among the vendors. Many have worked at other markets already accepting SNAP payments and it resulted in a sales boost.

The New Ulm Farmers Market was the one of last in the area to accept SNAP payments. Warmka said last year when the Farmers Market was managed by KNUJ there was an attempt to apply to the state to use SNAP; however the paperwork did not come through until the end of the year. When the New Ulm Chamber took over the market this year, they had to go through the paperwork process again.

“The good news is now that we have approval we’re good to go for next season,” Warmka said.

New Ulm’s Farmers Market hours are 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot at 15 S. Broadway near A to Zinnia. The farmers market season ends Oct. 5.

Details on SNAP/EBT and Market Bucks and a list of eligible items for purchase with the programs is available at the Farmers Market and at www.newulm.com/farmersmarket.

For more information about the Farmers Market, email chamber@newulm.com or call 507-233-4300.