Letter to Mr. Brandon Lipps - Do Everything Possible To Prevent Any Potential Disruptions

Letter

Mr. Brandon Lipps

Acting Deputy Undersecretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

We write to express concern about potential disruptions in Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) service for direct to consumer and farmers markets that accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In 2017, over 7,300 farmers and markets accepted SNAP, resulting in over $22 million in purchases directly into the local food economy. Providing the ability for SNAP participants to purchase food at farmers markets is a win-win. Not only does this provide critical access to healthy, local fruits and vegetables and other nutritious foods, it also helps family farmers to develop important local markets and expand business opportunities.

We recently learned that Novo Dia Group, one of the primary vendors that services farmers markets, will cease operations later this month, leaving many markets without EBT capabilities during the height of the farmers' market season. Any disruption in EBT service at these markets would have devastating impacts on SNAP families as well as farmers who sell their products to these local families. These families would also no longer be able to earn incentives by purchasing fruits and vegetables through SNAP, making it even more challenging for SNAP participants to afford healthy meals for their families.

We ask that the Food and Nutrition Service explore every possible option to ensure there is no disruption in EBT service at farmers markets during this critical market time. Local farmers and families depend on the ability to use SNAP in these markets and the consequences of any shutdown, no matter how brief, could be incredibly detrimental to the growing relationship between SNAP families and farmers.

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