Accepting SNAP benefits at local farmers markets can be a win-win situation. Using a wireless SNAP swipe machine at your farmers market provides easy access to locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables to people with low incomes, while providing additional revenue for the market vendors. Montanans were issued more than 164 million dollars in SNAP benefits in 2016. Accepting SNAP cards allows SNAP clients to use their benefits at farmers markets to purchase nutritious local foods and support local farmers.

Since all SNAP benefit purchases are now made with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card similar to a credit or debit card, most farmers markets purchase a machine that can also accept debit and credit which reduces stigma for SNAP consumers and increases overall sales at the market sales.

Starting in 2015, farmers markets can get assistance for purchasing equipment and supplies to start a Farmers Market SNAP program. Also, look for mini-grants to initiate incentive programs such as Double Bucks Dollars at farmers markets and farms.

Contact Tammy Howard, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) Agriculture Specialist at tammyh@ncat.org or call (406) 494-4572.

1. Look for the market closest to you (see the list below). Most markets are on weekends, but a few are on the weekdays after work.
2. Once you are at the market look for the farmers market information booth. This is where you will swipe your SNAP card. The person that swipes your card will give you tokens to spend on food items throughout the market. Keep in mind, just like with your card you cannot receive change for the tokens. Just like at the super market. Also, you cannot buy non-food items or prepared food at the market with your SNAP card. Ask if the market participated in a Double SNAP Dollars program.
3. Look for vendors that accept SNAP tokens. The vendors are aware of this so look for vendor signs that say they accept SNAP tokens. Many have signs. 

2018 Montana Farmers Markets that accept SNAP cards

ANACONDA COMMUNITY MARKET Where: Kennedy Commons, 3rd and Main When: Tuesdays, 4- 7 pm July 11- September 12 BILLINGS HEALTHY BY DESIGN GARDENERS MARKET Where: South Park, South 28th St. & 6th Ave. South When: Thursdays, 4:30-6:30pm June 8-October 5 BOZEMAN WINTER MARKET Where: Emerson Center When: Every other Saturday from September through April COLUMBIA FALLS COMMUNITY MARKET Where: 830 1st Avenue West When: Thursdays,5-7:30pm May 18-September 21 EAST HELENA FARMERS MARKET Where: East Helena City Hall parking lot When: Tuesdays, 4-7pm July 18-September 12 EUREKA FARMERS MARKET Where: Riverside Park-11 Dewey Ave When: Wednesday, 4-7pm; May 17-September 20 GALLATIN VALLEY FARMERS MARKET Where: Gallatin County Fairgrounds; 901 N. Black When: Saturdays, 9am-12pm June 21-September 13 GLENDIVE SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET Where: 313 S. Merrill When: Saturdays, 9am-12pm June 6-October 18 HAMILTON FARMERS MARKET CO-OP Where: 3rd St. & Bedford St. When: Saturdays, 9am-12:30pm April 22 to October 28 HAMILTON BITTERROOT'S WEEKDAY FARMERS MARKET Where: O'Hara Commons and Sustainability Center When: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30 pm June 13-Septemer 26 HARDIN RIVER VALLY FARMERS MARKET Where: Between 2nd and 3rd Street on North Custer When: Thursdays, 5-7:30pm

HELENA FARMERS MARKET Where: Fuller Ave, Downtown When: Saturdays, 9am-1pm April 29-October 28 KALISPELL FARMERS MARKET Where: Flathead Valley Community College When: Saturdays, 9am-12:30pm May 5-October 13 MANHATTAN FARMERS MARKET Where: Town Park, Corner of W. Main & Broadway When: Wednesdays, 4-7pm June 21-September 6 MISSOULA CLARK FORK MARKET Where: Downtown under the Higgins Bridge in the Riverside parking lot When: Saturdays, 8am-1pm May 6-October 28 / October hours are from 9am-1pm MISSOULA FARMERS MARKET Where: Circle Square in Downtown Missoula When: Saturdays, 8am-12:30pm May 6-October 28/ Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm July 4-September 26 POLSON FARMERS MARKET Where: 3rd Ave. W., between Main St. and 1st St. W. When: Fridays, 9am-1pm May 5-October 13 RED LODGE FARMERS MARKET Where: Lions Park, between E. 7th and E. 8th on N. Villard When: Fridays, 3:30-6:30pm July 7-September 15 RONAN FARMERS MARKET Where: 106 Main Street SW When: Wednesdays, 3-7pm May 31-October 11 TROUT CREEK FARMERS MARKET Where: Trout Creek Park When: Wednesday, 4-6 pm; July 5-September 27 TROY FARMERS MARKET Where: Troy Museum on Hwy 2 629 Missoula Ave When: Fridays, 3:30-6:30pm June 2-September 29 WHITEFISH DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET Where: Central Ave  at Railway St. When: Tuesdays, 5-7:30pm May 30-September 26

 You can visit the Montana Department of Agriculture's website for more information.

2017 Montana Farms that accept SNAP cards

STRIKE FARMS

• Where: Bozeman
• Phone: (406) 581-5483
• Email: csa@strikefarms.com

CHERRY CREEK FARMS

• Where: Kalispell
• Phone: (406) 212-0063
• Email: cherrycreekfarms116@yahoo.com

LOWER VALLEY FARM

• Where: Kalispell
• Phone: (406) 471-9538
• Email: info@lowervalleyfarm.com

MISSOULA VEGETABLE & GRAIN COMPANY

• Where: Hamilton, Missoula, and Stevensville
• Phone: Max-(406) 214-6664
• Web: http://www.missoulagrainandvegetable.com/

TERRAPIN FARM 

• Where: Whitefish
• Phone: (406) 862-6362
• Email: https://www.farmlinkmontana.org/intern_host/terrapin-farm/

GLACIAL TILTH FARM

• Where: Dixon and Missoula
• Phone: (615) 806-0714
• Email: glaciertilth@gmail.com

 You can visit the Montana Department of Agriculture's website for more information.