There are two common types of coupons that you can use to purchase affordable groceries at farmers markets in Vermont: Farm to Family and Crop Cash coupons. Some farmers markets also offer additional coupons, so be sure to check if your local market, or a new market you are visiting for the first time, offers additional coupons.
Farm to Family coupons are worth $6 each and come in free booklets of five coupons, for a value of $30 total (for older Vermonters, coupon booklets have eight coupons for a value of $48 total). You can apply for these coupons through WIC (Women, Infants and Children) or at a local Community Action Agency, both of which provide pop-up opportunities to apply for and pick-up the coupons. Once you pick up your coupons, you can use them at participating farmers markets. Applications for Farm to Family coupons can be completed starting July 1. To learn more about how to use these coupons at markets, review this online brochure.
Crop Cash coupons are different from Farm to Family coupons. You can get Crop Cash coupons directly at any participating farmers market. Crop Cash allows you to multiply your 3SquaresVT (SNAP) benefits at farmers markets. Many markets in Vermont accept 3SquaresVT and distribute Crop Cash. At participating markets in summer 2024, when you swipe your EBT card (the plastic card that benefits come on), you can get up to $20 in free Crop Cash coupons. You can use these coupons to buy fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plant seedlings.
If you are familiar with Crop Cash, you may have noticed that the matching power of these coupons has changed over time. It is different than it was in 2023, and it could change again in the future depending on program funding. Be sure to read carefully to learn how the program will work for this summer of 2024. Right now, when you swipe your EBT card at a market’s information booth, the market will match up to the first $20 of 3SVT benefits you spend with Crop Cash coupons. You can go back to participating markets each week to receive up to $20 in Crop Cash coupons, in addition to the 3SVT benefits you take off your EBT card. And, you can receive coupons at multiple markets each week! For questions about Crop Cash, contact Johanna Doren at NOFA-VT: 802-434-7162 or johanna@nofavt.org.
Here are a few examples to clarify how Crop Cash matching works:
- If you spend $10 of 3SVT benefits, you will get $10 of Crop Cash. That’s $10 extra (and $20 total) to spend at the market.
- If you spend $20 of 3SVT benefits, you will get $20 of Crop Cash. That’s $20 extra (and $40 total) to spend at the market.
- If you spend $30 of 3SVT benefits, you will still get $20 of Crop Cash. That’s $20 extra (and $50 total) to spend at the market. Notice how in this scenario only $20 of 3SVT benefits is matched with Crop Cash, even when more than $20 in 3SVT is spent. This is because no more than $20 in 3SVT will be matched with Crop Cash, per participating market, per week.
Think you might be eligible for 3SquaresVT? Visit our 3SquaresVT page to view the current guidelines. Contact our 3SquaresVT team to learn more—we can answer your questions, screen you for eligibility, or assist you with an application! Call us at (855) 855-6181, text VFBSNAP to 85511, or email 3svt@vtfoodbank.org.
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