April, 26th 2018

Farmers' Market Access and Equity Program Newsletter

The latest news on California Farmers' Market EBT Access and Market Match!

April 2018: CalFresh Awareness Month Instagram Contests, FNS Reauthorization, and EBT Training Webinar
CalFresh Awareness Month Instagram Contest
Join the Ecology Center and farmers' markets across the state in promoting CalFresh Awareness Month with an Instagram photo competition: Starting May 1st, ask your shoppers to share photos of their fruit and vegetables purchased with CalFresh, their day at the farmers’ market, or the delicious meal they made with farmers’ market produce. Shoppers should snap photos, upload them to Instagram, using the hashtags #FreshestCalFresh and #ChooseCalFresh.

The Ecology Center will be providing a few small prizes statewide. Individual markets are encouraged to offer their own prizes, too! Ask shoppers to also geotag the market location, so that you can search for the photos that were tagged at your market.

Suggested prizes: market tokens, tote bags, etc. If you’d like a flyer to post at your info booth with instructions explaining the contest, or sample posts to include on your own social media, contact l isa@ecologycenter.org
FNS Reauthorization Process
A reminder to markets that are already authorized for EBT: every five years, you will be asked to reauthorize your market. This process is similar to the original application process, and will ask you for details about your market and back up documentation. Once you receive notice of reauthorization, your completed application will be due within 30 days. We strongly recommend filling it out as soon as your receive it. If you have any questions, or need any assistance with reauthorization, reach out to us anytime at ebt@ecologycenter.org or (510) 925-4001. Also see the "FNS Application" tab on our EBT Simple Guide
Free Webinar: Adding EBT Access to your Farmers' Markets
In February we hosted a free webinar which covered all the steps needed to become EBT authorized. We covered filling out the FNS application, obtaining a free POS device, designing scrip, implementation at the market, as well as outreach and incentive programs. If you missed it, you can watch the recording anytime. Follow the link below for more details.

We Can Help You Add CalFresh EBT Access
 at Your Farmers' Market!
The Ecology Center currently has grant funding to assist farmers' markets across California in becoming authorized to accept CalFresh EBT.

By providing one-on-one training, technical assistance, tools, templates, and materials, we have assisted hundreds of market in becoming CalFresh EBT accessible. We can help you too, and it's free! We can assist with:

  • FNS application
  • Obtaining a FREE wireless Point of Sale device
  • Ordering and purchasing scrip
  • Bookkeeping and accounting tools
  • Market staffing and redemption models
  • Print-ready outreach materials and press release templates
  • Free at-market signage
  • Listing on the Farmers' Market Finder
  • Incentive programs like Market Match

The process for a farmers' market is easy. Contact us anytime at ebt@ecologycenter.org or (510) 925-4001 to get started!
Farmers' Market Access and Equity Program | Ecology Center
(510) 925-4001 | ebt@ecologycenter.org | www.ecologycenter.org/ebt