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SNAP/EBT Supplimental Nutrition Assistance Program's Electronic Benefits Transfer, the new food stamps. Electronic Benefits Transfer cards are similar to credit or debit cards. EBT Guidelines (.doc 571 Kb) from the ME Dept of Ag. The Downeast Business Alliance has published a report with suggestions of how a market can begin accepting EBT. It's called the Operation Market Quest Report.  Maine Farms, Farmers' Markets, and Farm Stands accepting SNAP listed at GetRealMaine.com.Jeff Cole of Mass Farmers' Markets has this advice about choosing an EBT service provider: “MA Dept. of Ag. Resources compared about 6 providers in 2009. My recollection was that in the end total fees for each, based on assumed use of SNAP, credit, and debit of equal proportions, was about the same. I.E. lower monthly fees were offset by higher transaction fees, and vice verse. Similarly for renting verses owning - over 2 years. At the national level most advice being offered now is to rent, not own, because terminals become functionally obsolete in 2 to 3 years. “As I understand it no provider is processing SNAP EBT on smart phone apps. I’ve heard FNS has concerns about those systems (security) so perhaps that is part of the reason. “I’ve talked to a few folks who use the apps for credit/debit for their businesses and they are happy with the systems. The transaction fees are reported to be more expensive than with wireless terminals but since I haven’t seen a full blown cost comparison that includes connectivity fees, report fees, etc. so perhaps, since presumably the phone expense is incurred for other purposes, the net cost for smart phone processing is comparable or better.” A comparison of Third Party Providers (TPP's) [pdf 47Kb] was done by City Seed of New Haven, CT. in 2010. See the entire report here [pdf 856Kb].SNAP/EBT Glossary FNS - Food and Nutrition Services, the department of the United States Department of Agriculture that facilitates the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as well as other food assistance benefits redeemed at farmers’ markets SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal benefit program run by the United States Department of Agriculture that provides vouchers for food to low-income people EBT - Electronic Benefit Transfers, the system that allows SNAP benefits to be redeemed via an electronic card similar to a debit card Scrip - The paper receipt, wooden or plastic token given to a SNAP customer after they swipe their EBT card; can be used like cash at the market in exchange for appropriate food items Pine Tree Card - In Maine, EBT benefits are linked to the Pine Tree Card POS Terminal - Point of Sale terminal that can accept EBT cards; some POS terminals can also accept credit and/or debit cards Quest - EBT cards are processed using the Quest network, which is similar to a credit/debit card processor. Wired EBT Terminal - POS terminal that requires electricity and a phone line to operate; can be used with a Manual EBT Voucher system when there is not immediate access to electricity and a phone line Wireless EBT Terminal - Hand held POS terminal that can be operated without a phone line where there is cellular coverage Manual EBT Voucher - A carbon copy form signed by the EBT cardholder that allows market management to accept EBT benefits through telephone verification; used most often with markets that have a wired terminal but no immediate access to electricity/phone line or when wireless terminals are not operational Third Party Processor (TPP) - A fee-for-service company that provides POS terminals and transaction services; there are many TPPs and markets are encouraged to “shop around” before settling on the right TPP How do we begin accepting SNAP/EBT? (from the Farmers' Market Coalition website An essential first step is to read more about the process of becoming a SNAP-authorized retailer. FMC recommends reading SNAP at Farmers Markets: a How-To Handbook , a publication co-authored by USDA and the Project for Public Spaces, as well as a complementary guide, SNAP/EBT at Your Farmers Market: Seven Steps to Success. Here is a very basic overview of the process: One: Submit an online application with Food and Nutrition Services here . If accepted, this will give your market a SNAP retailer license. Two: After completing your application, send the required print documentation to your local FNS field office. Find the office here. Three: Rent, lease, or purchase EBT equipment.. This is known as a POS (Point of Sale) terminal. There are both wired and wireless options, as well as the option to accept credit and debit cards in addition to EBT. They can be manned by the market manager or a third party operator, and can either be purchased or leased for the market season. While there are a number of merchant service providers in the marketplace (and FMC does not endorse any particular company), some examples include TXDirect. and Total Merchant Services. .Expect to pay between $400 and $1000 for a terminal, depending on its features, or around $50 for a monthly rental fee. There are additional fees for wireless, customer service, setup, and per-transaction. Keep in mind that credit/debit card acceptance will increase overall sales, and that renting a terminal with seasonal account closure will increase monthly costs but will eliminate the problems of owning an obsolete machine, storing the machine, and paying service fees in Extending the Market Season. If you are not able to purchase or obtain a POS terminal or have an offsite terminal, you can accept manual vouchers. Refer to the two guides linked above for a step-by-step guide to how to do this. Four: Choose an EBT transaction system. Using a central terminal at the market is usually preferred, as it minimizes costs and enables 100% vendor participation, as each vendor does not have to apply for a SNAP license. You can accept EBT transactions through a token system or a receipt system. See the FAQ What are tokens, and should we use them for EBT at our market? What alternatives are there? for more information. Five: Train EBT managers. These managers must be able to assist customers, vendors, and volunteers, must know how to use and troubleshoot the EBT system, must be able to keep records and track sales, and must keep track of customer experience and needed changes in the system. Six: Train vendors. Vendors must keep records to make sure they are properly reimbursed, know what can and can’t be sold to SNAP benefit holders, make sure their staff know the system, and display proper signage. Seven: Advertise your system! Visit local social services offices, schools, daycares, and senior buildings. Make ads for local newspapers. Create banners and flyers. Consider incentive programs, such as the Double Value Coupon Program of the Wholesome Wave Foundation. Throughout this process, be sure to take advantage of the many tools and resources available to you online. The Farmers Market Coalition’s resource library has a whole section devoted to EBT, including sample flyers, tokens, guidebooks, and overviews of the regulations. Another must-read is the USDA website, which has a list of grant resources for EBT-using farmers markets, as well as its own step-by-step EBT guide. Additional Resources: * USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Farmers Market Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) * Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources’ Food Stamps and Farmers, It's a win-win. Toolkit for Accepting Electronic Food Stamps .* Marketumbrella.org’s Electronic Benefits Primer: Bridging the Digital Divide, How to Bring Wireless EBT to Your Farmers Market. |
