Capital City Farmers Market now accepts EBT cards

Residents walk the streets and browse through fresh produce as local area band, Apostle's Creek, performs last week during the Capital City Farmers Market.
Residents walk the streets and browse through fresh produce as local area band, Apostle's Creek, performs last week during the Capital City Farmers Market.

As access to healthy food options continues to grow in Jefferson City, the Capital City Farmers Market will begin accepting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and matching those benefits dollar for dollar.

Starting this weekend, the downtown-based market will be the first of three fresh food markets in the area to offer non-traditional payment options.

In addition, any cardholder who spends at least $10 in EBT benefits at the market will have their dollars matched to double their spending power.

Steve Smart of the Capital City Farmers Market said he recognizes how the SNAP Match program can provide a better sense of what foods are in season locally. SNAP benefits are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provided to low-income families, formerly known as food stamps.

"Use of EBT and the SNAP Match at the Capital City Farmers Market keeps more dollars circulating locally in our community and helps to sustain local food sources/farmers, not those 2,000 miles away or in another country where environmental regulations allow use of pesticides that were outlawed in the USA over 50 years ago," Smart said.

The downtown market on High Street will be open 9-11 a.m. every weekend in May through September, offering fresh food options including fruits, vegetables, eggs, beef, baked goods, cookie dough and more.

Ashley Varner, Healthy Schools Healthy Communities program coordinator at Capital Region Medical Center, has been an ongoing partner with the market and said the SNAP Match program will allow access to fresh food to people of all income levels.

"Access to fresh food in turn creates healthier decisions and allows generations to learn about where their food comes from, taste healthier options and ultimately a healthier community," Varner said. "This is truly an opportunity for our community to lift itself up."

To sustain the SNAP Match program, CCFM is seeking sponsors for up to 22 weeks during the summer and 10 weeks during the winter.

Current sponsors include Jones Beltone Hearing; Dr. Gregg Kuhlmann; Root Cellar; River City Florist; and Capital Region Medical Center's Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities program.