SNAP Produce Rewards is a new pilot program to make buying fruits and vegetables easier for people who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Shoppers who use SNAP benefits to buy eligible fruits and vegetables from participating pilot retailers can get up to $50 per month put back onto their SNAP EBT card.
There are some important changes for participating vendors.
What is changing for participating vendors?
- Participating vendors will not use SNAP EBT (electronic benefit transfer) tokens or offer SNAP Market Match.
- Instead, SNAP EBT cards will be swiped at vendor booths. This means vendors who sell SNAP-eligible items must apply to become a SNAP retailer through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Vendors who sell fruits and vegetables and are authorized to accept SNAP will be eligible to offer a NEW special program call SNAP Produce Rewards.
Vendor FAQs for Produce Rewards
- Can I process SNAP EBT and offer Produce Rewards at other markets?
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Pasco Farmers Market, Lake City Farmers Market, and West Seattle Farmers Market are the only pilot markets for Produce Rewards in 2024, and the only markets that will stop using SNAP Market Match currency in 2024.
If you sell at another market that uses SNAP Market Match, please continue to use the EBT token system and SNAP Market Match currency processes that are currently in place for that market.
If you sell at your own farm stand, you can process SNAP and offer Produce Rewards.
- What if I sell at multiple locations at the same time?
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If you plan to sell at multiple locations at the same time and want to offer SNAP and Produce Rewards, you will need 2 EBT machines to process (one for each location).
- Are pickled vegetables, like sauerkraut and other preserved foods (for example, okra, asparagus, cucumbers) considered staple items?
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Yes, these are considered USDA staple foods. Customers can use SNAP benefits to buy pickled vegetables. However, pickled vegetables are not eligible for Produce Rewards.
- Will the same card be used for Produce Rewards and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)?
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No, customers have different cards for these programs. You should double check to make sure that you swipe the SNAP EBT card when you offer Produce Rewards to customers.
Resources for Farm Vendors
- SNAP Produce Rewards Demo Using EBT brick (v400m)
- Food allowed for SNAP Produce Rewards (PDF)
- SNAP Retailer Application Guide Direct Marketing Farmers Instructions from MarketLink (PDF)
- SNAP Retailer Application Quick Guide from MarketLink (PDF)
- EBT Equipment Options for SNAP Produce Rewards Farm Vendors (PDF)
- Produce Rewards Farm Vendor Quick Guide (PDF)
Promotional Materials
- Produce Rewards Branding Guide (PDF)
- Produce Rewards GIF
- Produce Rewards Video (MP4)
To save the GIF and MP4 to your computer, right click on the link and select 'Save Link As' - Produce Rewards Logo (PNG)
If you have questions about these resources, please contact ProduceRewards@doh.wa.gov or call 360-236-2540.