Connecting people with SNAP benefits to fresh, healthy, affordable food
Through the Market Token Program, wooden Tokens are used as Market currency, making it possible for customers with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) "food-stamp" benefits to easily get fresh, healthy, affordable foods from participating Market vendors. SNAP recipients stop at the white Market Token Center behind the Market Office house to swipe their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and obtain $1 and $5 tokens that function as cash and are accepted by dozens of Market vendors. Tokens are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., year-round.
The Tokens can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, dairy products, baked goods, honey and spices, processed foods, and even seeds and even plants that produce food.
Download our Token Program Flyer here --one side of this flyer is designed with more pictures and fewer words to make it more accessible to folks that speak languages other than English!
40% Bonus! New York State FreshConnect
At times, Market Token Program participants can also receive a 40% bonus through the New York State Fresh Connect Program (up to a $20 bonus per benefit recipient, per Market day).
When people have ready access to affordable, healthy foods they are more likely to make healthy food choices. As a result of the Market Token Program, 90% of participants report eating healthier.
Market Token Program Superlatives
Just how successful is our Market Token program? In 2020 (the last year for which the USDA offers national data on SNAP use at farmers markets), the Market Token Program transacted an amazing 23% of all SNAP benefits redeemed at all 290 participating markets across New York State. That's right-- just this one of 290 SNAP-accepting markets across New York State was responsible for 23% of the total statewide redemptions.
The program also transacted 2% of all SNAP redemptions nationwide in 2020-- a remarkable performance given that 4,656 farmers markets accepted SNAP that year across the nation. As of mid-September 2023, the Market Token Program had already shattered its own records, with $1,370,456 in SNAP benefits transacted.
Managed by the Friends of the Rochester Public Market
This nation-leading program is managed by the Friends of the Rochester Public Market, the City's essential non-profit partner--with just one part-time paid manager and a legion of dedicated volunteers.
Volunteer!
The Friends of the Market also welcomes additional volunteers to help with the Market Token Program! If interested, call the Friends office at 585-428-7292 or email Marketfriends@Marketfriends.org
Information and Contact
For more information on this program, or to request materials and/or a presentation, contact the Friends office at 585-428-7292 or email Marketfriends@marketfriends.org
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