Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: July 23, 2008

Missouri Farmers’ Markets Accepting EBT and Debit Cards

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Farmers’ markets across the state are now accepting debit cards and electronic food stamps making it easier for people to buy local produce, cheeses, homemade breads, pies and a variety of other local Missouri-made products this season.

“Consumers have the opportunity to find many great farmers’ markets offering local products while increasing rural development in many communities across Missouri,” said Don Steen, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA). “By making purchases easier and more convenient for consumers, more will be able to purchase many of the locally grown produce and fresh foods that our farmer’s offer each week at markets.”

A Specialty Crop Block Grant, offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Service, provided the new wireless technology to markets in the state. MDA has placed wireless electronic benefits transfer machines in 19 eligible farmers’ markets to assist in providing consumers the opportunity to purchase fresh local produce with foods stamps and debit cards.

“Missouri markets are making it convenient for consumers to purchase local Missouri food and support family farmers through these new wireless machines,” said Lane McConnell, marketing specialist with MDA. “This new technology will increase sales and give food stamp users access to fresh, locally grown products.”

Farmers’ Market shoppers can buy fresh and local this season with both food stamps and debit card at the following locations:

• Cape Girardeau – Cape Alternative Farmers’ Market
• Collins – JR Offspring
• Columbia – Boone County Farmers’ Market and the Columbia Farmers’ Market
• Fair Grove – Fair Grove Farmers’ Market
• Kansas City – Briarcliff Farmers’ Market, City Market, Crown Center Farmers’ Market and the Troost Community Farmers’ Market
• Lexington – Fahrmeier Farms
• Patton – Greens Garden
• Springfield – Fassnight Creek Farm, Flintrock Bison Ranch and the Greater Springfield Farmers’ Market
• St. Joseph – Pony Express Farmers’ Market
• St. Louis – Old North St. Louis Farmer’s Market, Soulard Farmers’ Market and Tower Grove Farmers’ Market
• Webb City – Webb City Farmers’ Market

To learn more about farmers’ markets across the state, visit www.mda.mo.gov or mofarmersmarket.blogspot.com/ or contact Lane McConnell at (573) 526-4984 or Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov.

[ Print | Back ]