by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The “innovative” practices of the Jacksonville Farmers Market on Beaver Street has Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam interested in replicating the operation throughout the state.
“We are picking up lessons learned from this market,” said Putnam. “It’s unique in that it serves both wholesale and retail customers and vendors are using EBT to accept SNAP payments. It’s all about making fresh, wholesome food available to more people.”
EBT is the an electronic balance transfer system that allows vendors to accept debit cards from the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which was formerly called the food stamp program.
Jacksonville Farmers Market Manager Greg Tison claims that people can save 50-60 percent on their grocery bill by purchasing produce at the farmers market.
“With that savings, people receiving food subsidies can purchase twice as much as they would be able to at regular grocery stores and supermarkets,” said Tison.
Other areas can be affected by allowing those on the SNAP program to shop at farmers markets, said Putnam.
“By allowing people to purchase more fresh, wholesome foods, that improves their overall health and lessens their need for health care because of poor nutrition,” said Putnam.
“And it’s also good economic policy to provide businesses with more customers,” he said.
Glennette Clayton, 38, grew up working with her mother at the farmers market and now has her own stand at the Beaver Street location.
She estimated that 50-55 percent of her business comes through the SNAP program.
“It really helps the community. People are grateful that we accept the SNAP program because a lot of people are out of jobs right now,” said Clayton.
Clayton is one of five vendors at the market to offer EBT payment. Beaver Street Fisheries, which owns the market, is encouraging vendors to apply for the service.
“We are trying to help vendors navigate the process as they deal with banks and terminal providers,” said Tison. “It just helps them to be able to serve more customers.”
The farmers market, at 1810 W. Beaver St., averages 35-40 vendors a day. They vary from those who build shelves and display areas in their rented spaces to those who drive in a load of goods and sell out of their truck bed.
One of the more long-lasting vendors, Wright’s Produce, has offered the EBT option for about two years, said Peggy Shull, who was managing the stand Monday.
“We’ve noticed that we don’t do so great with sales at the middle of the month, but it picks up at the first of the month. It depends when people get their (SNAP) money,” said Shull.
“Our business has been much better since we started giving customers the option. It’s good for us, too, because the money goes right in the bank from the terminal,” said Shull.
Wright’s Produce is located inside one of the market’s buildings and was able to set up a phone line for the EBT service, but phones can be a problem with sales.
“One of the only problems we have with it is that we can’t process a sale when the phone rings,” said Shull.
Clayton was able to sign up with a wireless provider for her EBT and hasn’t had much of problem with service interruptions.
“This market is really a model of what we’d like to see throughout the state,” said Putnam. “With people on the SNAP program being able to access fresh, local produce while doubling the value of those food stamps.”
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