Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Chester Farmer’s and Artisans Market SNAP Program Update

As we mentioned at the presentation about the new farmer’s market last week, we are now SNAP certified.  This is the old Food Stamp Program and we hope this will bring in many more customers for the farmers who sell at the market. There will be a onetime fee of $10 for every farmer that wants to participate and this fee will be used to cover the cost of setting up the program.  Unfortunately, the equipment has not arrived to hook-up to the bank so we will not be ready to launch this weekend.  I will keep everyone posted when this is ready to go.

SNAP Eligible Products

All foods intended to be eaten at home.  This includes the following four staple food categories:

• Breads/cereals
• Dairy products
• Fruit and vegetables
• Meat, fish, poultry

Additoinally, Nonalcoholic beverages, snack foods, soft drinks, candy and ice.
Seeds and plants intended to grow food (but not growing flowers and feeding to birds)

Households CANNOT use food stamp benefits to buy:

• Beer, wine, liquor, tobacco or cigarettes
• Foods that is not hot at the point of sale
• Food to be eaten in the store
• Vitamins or medicines
• Pet foods
• Nonfood items such as tissues, soaps, cosmetics, or other household goods.

If you have any questions, please call Gloria Kellerhals at 803.581.3100 or go the web site http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/Contract/FieldOfficies/