Maine Farm Food Access Program |
Maine Farm Food Access Program
Overview: The Maine Farm Food Access Program reimburses direct-market farms and farmers’ markets for new wireless electronic benefits transfer (EBT) machines to process USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-only transactions and associated fees. Participating direct-market farms and farmers’ markets will receive technical assistance in selecting and using equipment. This program is a collaboration between the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets.
Eligibility: Farms must meet the USDA definition of “direct-market farm”(individual ag producers selling directly to the public through a farm stand, PYO, CSA, or farmers’ market) and farmers’ markets must meet the Maine definition of “farmers’ market” (2 or more farmers selling products grown or produced on their farms directly to consumers). Wireless equipment that solely processes EBT transactions may be eligible. Only fees directly related to the wireless SNAP EBT-only equipment will be covered through the program. Applicants with existing functioning EBT machine will not be eligible. Participation requires an active USDA Food and Nutrition Service number. IMPORTANT NOTE: Farm Food Access Program participants will receive reimbursement for pre-approved EBT equipment, only. Equipment purchased prior to State of Maine approval will not be eligible for reimbursement.
Timeline: Farms and farmers' markets can sign up on a rolling basis until September 30, 2021 or until available funding has been allocated.
How to Sign Up:
Overview: The Maine Farm Food Access Program reimburses direct-market farms and farmers’ markets for new wireless electronic benefits transfer (EBT) machines to process USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-only transactions and associated fees. Participating direct-market farms and farmers’ markets will receive technical assistance in selecting and using equipment. This program is a collaboration between the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets.
Eligibility: Farms must meet the USDA definition of “direct-market farm”(individual ag producers selling directly to the public through a farm stand, PYO, CSA, or farmers’ market) and farmers’ markets must meet the Maine definition of “farmers’ market” (2 or more farmers selling products grown or produced on their farms directly to consumers). Wireless equipment that solely processes EBT transactions may be eligible. Only fees directly related to the wireless SNAP EBT-only equipment will be covered through the program. Applicants with existing functioning EBT machine will not be eligible. Participation requires an active USDA Food and Nutrition Service number. IMPORTANT NOTE: Farm Food Access Program participants will receive reimbursement for pre-approved EBT equipment, only. Equipment purchased prior to State of Maine approval will not be eligible for reimbursement.
Timeline: Farms and farmers' markets can sign up on a rolling basis until September 30, 2021 or until available funding has been allocated.
How to Sign Up:
- Apply for a USDA FNS number: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/apply-to-accept
- Use this survey to sign up for the Farm Food Access Program
- Apply to an approved equipment vendor and complete the necessary underwriting process, purchase equipment, and submit reimbursement request.