Supplemental Nutrition Assistance wants to work with Greenville area farmers. Jared Brumbaugh has more on a Saturday event, planned to facilitate that partnership.
Commonly known as SNAP, the program offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible low income individuals and families across the country. There’s a sign up event being held in Greenville on Saturday afternoon where local farmers and farmer’s markets can apply to become an authorized SNAP retailers and receive free wireless Electronic Benefits Transfer equipment. Deputy Regional Administrator for the Southeast Region of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Erin Swanson-Hall says the process usually takes 45 days.
“Farmers will progress through the three primary stations in terms of submitting or filling out their application, being authorized on site, and selecting their equipment. When they leave at the end of the two hour event, within two weeks time, they will have their point-of-sale equipment mailed directly to them and they will be fully operational to accept SNAP benefits.”
Swanson-Hall says SNAP authorization helps local farmers grow their business, and farmer’s markets increase their customer base.
“And I think third, the SNAP recipients gain greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables which as we all know has enormous health benefits in the long run.”
Farmers should bring a picture ID, their social security card, and a copy of a voided check for the bank account you’ll use to deposit funds. The sign up event takes place Saturday from 3 to 6pm at the Greenville Convention Center. For more information, click http://www.fns.usda.gov/ebt/learn-about-snap-benefits-farmers-markets
