Free EBT Equipment for Authorized Farmers/Vendors

[whalesong]

A message from Department of Human Services
Free EBT Equipment for Authorized Farmers and Farmers Markets
Expands Access to Fresh Produce
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2015
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made funds available that enable the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide eligible farmers markets and direct marketing farmers with free electronic benefit transfer (EBT) equipment to process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Administered through the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), the Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program expands access to fresh produce for SNAP beneficiaries and expands commerce options for farmers and farmers markets.
The program is available to only to SNAP-authorized farmers markets and direct marketing farmers that were authorized before November 18, 2011. If the applying farmers and farmers markets receive approval, the FMC will cover the costs of purchasing or renting SNAP EBT equipment and services (set-up costs, monthly service fees, and wireless fees) for up to three (3) years. Though transaction fees will not be covered, the selected farmers and farmers markets can choose their own SNAP EBT service provider from a list of participating companies.
The Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program is a first-come first-serve opportunity, and the program ends when the funds have been distributed.
If a farmers market or direct marketing farmer isn’t yet SNAP-authorized, or became SNAP-authorized on or after November 18, 2011, they may be eligible for free equipment through MarketLink. Learn more about the MarketLink application process at www. marketlink .org.
For more information about the Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program, including frequently asked questions, an eligibility chart, background information and application instructions, visit http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/programs/freesnapebt/.
For more information about food assistance in Hawaii, visit the DHS website www.humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd. A county-by-county listing of Hawaii Farmers Markets that accept EBT is provided below.
Farmer's Market Name City Island
HAWI FARMERS MARKET LLC HAWI Hawaii
KINOOLE FARMERS MARKET HILO Hawaii
HILO FARMERS MARKET HILO Hawaii
KEAUHOU FARMERS MARKET KAILUA-KONA Hawaii
KILAUEA FARMERS MARKET KILAUEA Hawaii
HILO COFFEE MILL FARMERS MARKET MOUNTAIN VIEW Hawaii
MAKUU FARMERS MARKET CO. PAHOA Hawaii
SPACE MARKET PAHOA Hawaii
MYSTICAL DAWN APOTHECARY PAHOA Hawaii
VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET VOLCANO Hawaii
Media Contacts:
Brenda Mutuma
Program Specialist, Western Region SNAP
brenda.mutuma@fns.usda.gov
Andrew Riesenberg, MSPH
Food Security and Obesity Prevention Team Leader
Food and Nutrition Service, Western Regional Office
415-645-1927; andrew.riesenberg@fns.usda.gov
Kayla Rosenfeld
Communications and Public Information Officer
Department of Human Services
586-4892; krosenfeld@dhs.hawaii.gov

[Guest]

Maybe the kalapana market will get one of these EBT dream machines. Why have they not paid for one with all that parking money? Do they just not want the ebt business and only want to deal with cash?

[kalakoa]

Do they just not want the ebt business

Any "farmers' market" requires County permits -- even when it takes place on C-zoned land.

[Obie]

SPACE MARKET PAHOA Hawaii

This is the market at Kalapana.

[ericlp]

If ebt people can afford a running car, insurance, maintenance, registration, safety, and gas, then they can afford a dollar to park it.


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[Punatic007]

Encouraging more EBT use, how pathetic. The system was set up as TEMPORARY help for families and singles in need. Not as a lifestyle scam for the able-bodied of Puna. The only permanent recipients should be senior citizens, it's the least we can do for our elders. The able-bodied around here need to get more dignity and self-respect, their behavior is offensive to honest hardworking folk whose money pays for it all. Decent people get a 2nd job when things get tough, they don't abuse welfare systems.

[snorkle]

Honest, hard working folk often qualify for EBT benefits. Honest, hardworking people deserve a living wage.

I'm much more concerned by the welfare scammers in the upper economic echelon.

[kalakoa]

welfare scammers in the upper economic echelon

You misspelled "Job Creators".

[Punatic007]

I guess it depends on how you were raised. Just because someone qualifies for welfare, why does that not become an incentive to either move somewhere else with a better job market or to hone ones skill to earn more? There have been studies done on those choosing to be a welfare recipient as part of a long term lifestyle. It creates moral decay and entitlement issues. The children of these families often turn to theft as they have been raised to believe you don't need to work to receive money and food.

[snorkle]

There are scammers and rogues in every echelon of society. I don't think the numbers are significantly different among the poor, but the dollar amounts certainly are. pick on the easy ones if it suits you.

I got food stamps as a working poor family man 25 years ago. I often took advantage of the scammers outside of the Cash and Carry wanting to trade food stamps for cash at a 1/2 ratio. Illegal as hell, but I took advantage of it for my kids.

I got off eventually, but it was difficult. The system is what creates the generational enabled culture. I would support new policies that limit time on welfare, and provide free, quality childcare so parent(s) could work more;

But also require that the "job creators" pay living wages and pay their share of taxes. They have legislators bought and attorneys on retainer to create loopholes that are unavailable to single moms.