Federal Government Shutdown SNAP Redemption Update
As of Wednesday, October 1, the federal government has shut down. FRESHFARM is closely tracking what this means for our work as the situation evolves. One immediate effect we are preparing to face in our farmers markets is the possibility that our SNAP point-of-sale system may not be able to process SNAP/EBT transactions. The inability to process SNAP transactions would mark a stark departure from past government shutdowns, when payment processors have typically received guidance that has permitted them to continue operating despite federal closures. While operations are continuing as usual as of October 1, FRESHFARM is prepared to respond if benefit processing becomes compromised.
FRESHFARM’s FreshMatch incentive program doubles SNAP benefits spent at market, up to $30 per family per market day. This means a shopper who chooses to spend $30 of their SNAP benefit to buy produce from our farmers receives an additional $30 of FreshMatch coupons to spend in the market. That’s $60 of purchasing power for a local family and $60 that goes directly to the bottom line of local farmers.
To address the current situation, should SNAP redemption become inaccessible, FRESHFARM will offer $30 in FreshMatch coupons to any shopper whose SNAP/EBT transaction is denied due to processing interruptions caused by the federal shutdown. We will ensure that SNAP shoppers can access fresh food at farmers markets, and farmers can count on purchases from these shoppers. This policy will be implemented not only at FRESHFARM’s network of 26 farmers markets and farm stands, but at all 15 FreshMatch partner markets in Washington, DC as well.
However, make no mistake: the inability to process SNAP will severely limit the accessibility of the farmers markets. SNAP customers will have less spending power, and farmers will make fewer sales. While FRESHFARM cannot correct for broad disruptions to SNAP at the federal level, we will continue to distribute FreshMatch funds to help our shoppers purchase the fresh food they need.
FRESHFARM is committed to ensuring our shoppers who rely on SNAP benefits can continue to access fresh produce, and that our farmers who benefit directly from SNAP and FreshMatch dollars spent at market can continue to sell to their customers. While the federal government may be unable to fulfill its responsibility to issue nutrition benefits to families in need, FRESHFARM is dedicated to supporting low-income shoppers and local farmers through FreshMatch incentives. This work continues to be possible thanks to the generous funding of our philanthropic partners and donors.
Please follow @freshfarmdc on social media for real-time updates as this situation evolves.
