Village of Lovingston Farmers Market accepts SNAP EBT and SNAP match through the Virginia Fresh Match program, which doubles SNAP purchases on fruits and vegetables dollar for dollar up to a certain amount. This means you could get $10 worth of food for only $5 from your SNAP account. VLFM is the only farmers market in Nelson County with the capability to process EBT cards. Now local farmers will be able to provide healthy food options to more of the community, and more food dollars will stay in the local economy.
Your local farmers market is more than a place to buy food; it is a place that you and your family can connect with the surrounding community. Unlike grocery and convenience stores, the farmers market gives you a chance to interact with the person who produced your food. That person can give you tips, recipes and insight on how to best prepare their product-whether it’s a bushel of tomatoes or a cut of meat. And also unlike grocery and convenience stores, the food you purchase is guaranteed to be grown and produced right here in your community… your vegetables don’t take a weeks-long journey to your plate from as far away as central and south America.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides eligible households with financial assistance to supplement their monthly grocery budget. SNAP is funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by local departments of social services. Benefits are transferred monthly to an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card and can be used like cash to purchase groceries and food goods at the Village of Lovingston Farmers Market, grocery stores and other outlets. Applicants can apply on-line at www.dss.virginia.gov or at the local department of social services agency that serves the locality where you reside. For more information about SNAP eligible items visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items.
How does SNAP work?
Bring your SNAP EBT Card to the market info booth before you shop. Market staff will swipe your card, and give you wooden tokens in that amount to go shopping.
Buy any SNAP-eligible foods at the market with your tokens.
The Market will reimburse the vendors for any tokens redeemed.
SNAP eligible items are items such as fruits and vegetables, breads, meats, dairy products, plants, seeds, baked items. SNAP cannot be used for any foods served hot or ready to eat on site and non-food items.
What is Virginia Fresh Match?
What it is: Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is a network and program in Virginia designed to work with SNAP. Locations that offer the VFM program match the value of SNAP dollars spent at participating farmers markets and grocery stores, doubling the amount SNAP recipients can spend on fruits and vegetables.
Primary Purpose: To increase access to nutritious, local foods for SNAP customers while supporting local farmers and markets.
Scope: Focused on Virginia, and specific to fruits and vegetables, particularly at farmers markets and select retail locations. Products that are NOT VFM eligible include; Fruits and vegetables that are dried, milled, pressed, juiced, or canned, even if there are no additional additives or dried herbs and dried mushrooms.
It’s that simple!
Tips for shopping at the market:
Shop the farmers market first with your regular grocery list. You’ll be surprised at how much of that list you can find at the market.
Arrive at the market when it first opens for the best selection of items.
Bring a cooler with freezer packs to keep any perishable products cool while you shop; and bring your own bags to cut down on plastic bag usage.
Bring your family – it’s important for children to understand where their food comes from. We also have activities available for kids each market day!