SNAP to make it easier for all to shop farmers' marketsDate: 5/17/2011 May 18, 2011
By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
GREATER SPRINGFIELD Across the valley, it will now be a little easier for many on limited incomes to afford fresh, locally grown food, thanks to the availability of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at farmers' markets this year.
SNAP, a program of the United States Department of Agriculture, offers those who depend on federal food assistance programs to use an electronic benefits transfer card (EBT) to make purchases at farmers' markets.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), based in South Deerfield, is working closely with farmers, businesses and community leaders to ensure that SNAP is available at farmers' markets across the region with a goal of ensuring fresh food is available to all residents in the Pioneer Valley.
From Seven Hills Mills in South Hadley to the Red Fire Farm in Granby, a host of new and seasoned farmers and businesses will be out in force selling the fruits of their labor in the coming weeks and months, and most will be accepting the SNAP EBT card so that area residents will have access to the bounty that awaits visitors to the varied farmers' markets in the region.
Local farmers' markets accepting SNAP benefits include:
•Farmers' Market at the X in Springfield, open every Tuesday through Oct. 25, from 12:30 to 6 p.m.
•Holyoke Farmers' Market, open now every Thursday through Oct. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., by City Hall.
•South Hadley Farmers' Market, Town Common, Thursdays, June 2 to Oct. 27, from 1 to 6 p.m.
•Westfield Farmers' Market, Goodwill parking lot, Franklin Street, Thursdays, June 16 to Sept. 29, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
•Chicopee Farmers' Market, under I-391 overpass, Chicopee Street, Wednesdays, July 6 to Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
•Mason Square Farmers' Market, Baystate Mason Square Health Center parking lot, 11 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, Saturdays, July 9 to Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information on CISA or vendors at particular sites, visit www.buylocalfood.org. For more details on SNAP, visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap .
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