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EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project
Enrollment Packet
Providing access to locally grown fresh
fruits and vegetables to all Ohioans...
Farmers can accept food assistance benefits.
Food assistance customers can access fresh produce in their local Farm Markets.
Informational Pamphlet . Application . Reports
October 2008
oHio eBt Farmers’ market
Demonstration Project
The Ohio Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Farmers’ Market A safe and easy way to use
food assistance benefits!
Demonstration Project provides food assistance customers access to
locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. When the Food Assistance
Program changed from paper coupons to electronic debit cards, many farmers were no longer able to
accept food assistance benefit transactions.
This demonstration project provides farmers who participate in farmers’ markets with an alternate
system for selling their produce to food assistance recipients. Food assistance customers simply
“purchase” tokens or scrip (certificates that can be used like cash) at one centralized point-of-sale
terminal. They can then use the token or scrip to purchase eligible food items from farmers. Farmers
then redeem the tokens or scrip through the farmers’ market for payment.
Pr o j e c t De s c r i P t i o n
The Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project is monitored by the Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services, EBT Section. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA/
FNS) has field offices that authorize qualified retailers to accept food assistance benefits, provide
information to retailers, and enforce program rules to prevent errors and abuse.
In order to participate in this demonstration project, a farmers’ market must become a certified food
assistance retailer through the FNS and receive approval from the Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services, EBT Section. Approval is granted on a project-year basis, which ends November 30 of each year.
Ho w t o jo i n
1. The first step is to contact the FNS to become a certified food assistance retailer. Any farmer who
would like to accept food assistance benefits must be licensed to do so. Participating farmers can elect
to use a point of sale (POS) terminal for EBT-only transactions, or use a third-party processor POS
terminal, which may also accept major credit cards.
The following FNS Web site provides information for retailers who want to apply for a license from the
Food Assistance Program (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/register.htm
2. Secondly, complete the Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project application, which is in this
packet. Submit the application to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, EBT Section, for
review and approval.
Pr o j e c t re q u i r e m e n t s
Farmers must complete the Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project application each year
that they want to participate in the program. They also must submit monthly and year-end reports. (The
monthly report is due by the 15th day of each subsequent month.) The state’s EBT section will provide
approved farmers with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to make this reporting as easy as possible. The
reports must contain the following information:
• Number of sales
• Dollar value of sales
• Dollar value redeemed by vendors
• Dollar value of unredeemed sales
• Dollar value of refunds to customers
o H i o eBt Fa r m e r s ’ ma r k e t De m o n s t r a t i o n Pr o j e c t
a P P l i c a t i o n
The Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project application included in this packet must be
completed and submitted to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, EBT Section, for review
and approval. The application is designed to help you establish your farmers’ market’s procedures for
accepting food assistance benefits. You will need to decide on the type of point of sale (POS) terminal
you will use, whether you want to use tokens or scrip, and how to create your operating procedures,
surveys and marketing materials. Questions regarding participation may be directed to Christina
Thomas at Christina.Thomas@jfs.ohio.gov.
oH i o Pa r t i c i P a n t s
The following farmers’ markets were the first to participate in Ohio. Please feel free to visit and/or contact
them for more information, such as how they designed their project or created marketing materials.
Athens Farmers Market Findlay Farmers’ Market
1801 Race Street Toledo Farmers’ Market
University Mall Parking Lot
Cincinnati, OH 45202 Superior Street
East State Street
http://www.findlaymarket.org Toledo, Ohio 43604
Athens, Ohio 45701
http://www.toledofarmersmarket.org
http://www.athensfarmersmarket.org Contact Person:
Cynthia M. Brown, Outdoor & Contact Person:
Contact Person: Farmers Markets Manager
Ann Fugate, President Dan Madigan, Executive Director
cbrown@findlaymarket.org info@toledofarmersmarket.org
info@athensfarmersmarket.org
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has many resources available, including
a farmers’ market resource guide, statistics, grant information and market locations
by state. This information is available through the USDA Web site at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/
For more information about the Ohio Farmers’ Markets and other participating
states, see the FNS’s 2007 EBT Farmers’ Market Project Status Report at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/ebt/ebt_farmers_markstatus.htm
Reset Form
O hi o D ep ar t m en t o f J ob and Fa mil y S er v ices
O HIO EBT F ARMERS’ M ARKET
D EMONSTRATION P ROJECT A PPLICATION
1) Information about your Farmers’ Market
Name of Farmers’ Market Have you ever participated in this project?
Yes No
If yes, provide years:
Market Street Address
City County State Zip Code
Phone Number E-mail Address Farmers’ Market Website
Dates of Operation (begin & end dates of market season) Days of the Week and Hours of Operations
List Available Produce Items Number of Anticipated Vendors
2) Contact Information
Name of Market Manager Title
Mailing Address
City County State Zip Code
Phone Number E-mail Address Best Time to be Reached
3) Farmers’ Market Description & Background
1) Provide a description of your market. Include a brief history of your Farmers’ Market
Background.
2) Describe the population you serve.
3) How will the Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project serve your Farmers’ Market and
community?
JFS 07500 (11/2008) Page 1 of 4
4) Point of Sale (POS) Terminal
Your Farmers’ Market will use an alternate redemption system, such as tokens or scrip, for food assistance
benefits. Only one centralized Point of Sale (POS) device is required to issue the tokens or scrip. Food
assistance customers will be able to use the tokens or scrip throughout the Farmers’ Market to purchase
eligible food assistance items.
The first step is to contact Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to become a licensed Food Assistance Retailer.
Any retailer that would like to accept food assistance benefits must be licensed to participate in the Food
Assistance Program. The following FNS website provides information for retailers who want to apply for a
Food Assistance Program (federally known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) license:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/register.htm
Have you contacted Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) to become a certified food assistance
retailer?
Yes No
If yes, what is your status?
Which POS Terminal have you chosen for your Farmers’ Market:
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) only POS terminal - accepts food assistance transactions only.
Third Party Processor (TPP) POS terminal - accepts food assistance transactions and major credit
cards.
What are your procedures for training market staff to operate the POS terminal?
5) Alternate Redemption System
An alternate redemption system is required for use with the Point of Sale (POS) terminal, such as tokens or
scrip, for food assistance benefits. Only one centralized POS is required to issue the tokens or scrip. Food
assistance customers will be able to use the tokens or scrip throughout the Farmers’ Market to purchase
eligible food assistance items.
List the type and dollar value of your chosen redemption system (tokens or scrip):
Provide a description of your tokens or scrip (attach sample or copy):
List your security measures for maintaining the tokens or scrip and steps taken to prevent
counterfeiting:
JFS 07500 (11/2008) Page 2 of 4
6) EBT Operational Procedures
The following information is required to be posted at the Point of Sale (POS) Terminal location for your
customers.
1) List your directions for using the tokens or scrip at your market. Directions on how to use the Ohio
Direction Card to purchase tokens or scrip at your Farmers’ Market are required. Your directions must
be clearly displayed at your POS terminal.
2) List your lost and stolen tokens/scrip policy. Lost or Stolen Scrip procedures need to be established
for your customers. Most markets state that once the tokens/scrip are issued, they will be treated as cash
and NO lost or stolen tokens will be reissued or refunded. Your policy must be clearly displayed at your
POS terminal.
3) List your return policy. Customers must be informed about your policy for returning tokens/scrip.
Some markets only allow returns on the same day they are purchased while other markets allow returns
at any time within the season. Your policy must be clearly displayed at your POS terminal.
7) Survey
Surveys need to be conducted for both your customers and vendors to measure satisfaction and/or
problems. Attach a copy with this application. Provide a brief description on your plans to administer your
survey including when it will be administered. Survey examples are available upon request.
Survey Attached Yes No
8) Marketing
Providing outreach to the community is the key to a successful project. Please list your outreach effort plan
and community partners to increase awareness about accepting the Ohio Direction Card at your Farmers’
Market. Attach marketing materials if available. These materials may be submitted after approval.
Marketing Materials Attached Yes No
JFS 07500 (11/2008) Page 3 of 4
9) Signature of Person Who Completed This Application
I understand the questions on this form and certify, under penalty or perjury, that all my answers are correct and
complete to the best of my knowledge. Written approval of this application by the Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services, EBT Section is required for participation in the Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project.
Approval is granted on a project year basis, which ends November 30th of each year. Upon the approved project begin
date, a monthly report will be due by the 15th day of the following month through the end of the project year. A final
year-end report is due by December 5th. A new application is required for continuation of the project for each
subsequent year.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services or this approved Farmers’ Market may terminate this agreement and
the project at any time by thirty days written notice to each party.
Signature of Applicant Title Date
Signature of Secondary Applicant (if applicable) Title Date
10) What To Do When You Complete This Application
Return this application to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, EBT Section at:
Office of Family Stability, EBT Section
P.O. Box 182709
Suite 400, 6th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2709
Be sure to include your survey for customers and vendors along with any marketing materials. These materials may be
submitted after approval.
Questions regarding the Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project may be directed to the EBT Section at
(614) 466-4815 or Christina.Thomas@jfs.ohio.gov.
Your Civil Rights
Federal law and the policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services (ODJFS) say that we must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Under the Food Stamp Act and USDA policy, discrimination is prohibited also on the basis of religion or political beliefs.
To file a discrimination complaint, write or call USDA or ODJFS.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance Bureau of Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW 30 East Broad Street, 37th Floor
Washington, DC 20250-9410 Columbus, Ohio 43215-3414
(202) 260-1026 (voice) (614) 644-2703 (voice)
(866) 632-9992 (toll free) (866) 227-6353 (toll free)
(202) 401-0216 (TTY) (866) 221-6700 (TTY)
USDA and ODJFS are equal opportunity providers and employers.
JFS 07500 (11/2008) Page 4 of 4
Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project
Monthly Report
Farmers Market Name:
Reporting Month:
Date Number of Dollar Value of Dollar Value Dollar Value of Dollar Value of
Sales Sales Redeemed by Vendors Unredeemed Sales Refunds to Customers
Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project
Year-End Report
Market Name: Project Year:
Address:
Type of Redemption System Average Monthly Food Assistance Total Food Assistance Redemptions
(Tokens or Scrip) Redemptions (for project year)
$ $
List any problems incurred during this project year:
List any highlights and worthy initiatives incurred during this project year:
Thank you for your commitment to the Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Demonstration Project!
Note: FNS headquarters, or the region, reserve the right to request additional
information on individual markets or all markets on an as needed basis.
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