There are currently over 83,000 Vermonters who receive 3SquaresVT benefits to help them buy more food for their families. In 2016, Vermonters who use their 3SquaresVT benefits at the farmers market will be able to double their money with Crop Cash, which can be used to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from local farmers.
The Crop Cash Incentive Program works like this:
- Customers go to the booth at the market designated with the yellow “EBT and Debit Cards Accepted Here” banner.
- They say how much of their 3SquaresVT benefits they would like to spend and then swipe their EBT card.
- They will be given wooden tokens worth $1 to use at any vendor that sells 3SquaresVT eligible foods. As a bonus for shopping at the market, they will also be given Crop Cash, an incentive in the form of a $1 dollar bill that matches their 3SquaresVT purchase, up to $10 per market day.
- Crop Cash is then used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at participating farmers markets.
The Crop Cash Incentive Program benefits the 3SquaresVT households, who are able to purchase more farm-fresh produce; local farmers, who are able to market their products to more Vermonters; and the local economy, since federal benefits dollars are kept in Vermont.
There are over 45 farmers markets in Vermont that accept 3SquaresVT benefits and offer Crop Cash! Browse a list of participating markets online, or dial 2-1-1.
The Crop Cash Incentive Program is coordinated by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT), with funding from the USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program and Wholesome Wave.