The outdoor market season in Vermont has begun, with about 85 farmers markets scattered throughout the state. And using your 3SquaresVT benefits gets you Crop Cash at many of these markets! The markets are as diverse as our landscape—with vendors selling a wide variety of agricultural products like fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs, baked goods, and more. This is a great way to talk with and purchase from many local producers, supporting a number of farms and local businesses!

In addition to providing fresh local food, more than half of Vermont’s farmers markets—and many farm stands and CSAs—accept 3SquaresVT benefits!  Your benefits can even be doubled by participating in the NOFA-VT Crop Cash Program. Crop Cash is a double-value coupon program for people with 3SquaresVT benefits. When you swipe your EBT card at participating farmers markets, your dollars will be doubled. When you spend $10 in 3SquaresVT benefits, you’ll receive $10 in Crop Cash coupons to purchase fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, and starts at the market. This is a great way to stretch your benefit dollars while also supporting your local farmers!

How to Get Crop Cash:

1. Visit one of the farmers markets locations in the state that accepts EBT Cards (complete list).
2. Look for the yellow banner saying “EBT & Debit Cards Accepted Here” at the market’s information table. Or, ask someone where to find the market manager.
3. Let the person staffing the table know that you’d like to use your EBT card, and tell them how much of your 3SquareSVT benefits you’d like to spend at the market. Swipe your card in the EBT machine and enter your PIN. The amount requested will be taken from your 3SquaresVT account.
4. You will be given one dollar ($1) wooden tokens which can be used to buy any SNAP-eligible food at the market.
5. You will also be given one dollar of Crop Cash for every one dollar in 3SquaresVT benefits you spend (up to $10), which can be used to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible plant seeds/starts at the market. Crop Cash are FREE bonus coupons, but they must be used by the expiration date indicated on the coupon. They can only be redeemed at the market at which you received them.
6. Come back and do it again next week!

**If you receive your benefits directly deposited into your bank account, you can still benefit from this program. To benefit from this program, let the person staffing the EBT machine know how much you would like to spend at the market, and you will be given a matching amount of Crop Cash, up to $10 per market.

Program Basics:

• Crop Cash can only be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, or edible plant seeds/starts.
• No change can be given for Crop Cash (i.e. must be used in full $1 increments).
• There is a $10 Crop Cash limit, per market day.
• You can receive Crop Cash coupons anytime during the market season, BUT they must be used before the expiration date printed on the coupon or on the last market date.
• Crop Cash must be spent at the participating market where you received it. The name of the market is printed on the coupon.

Not enrolled in 3SquaresVT? 3SquaresVT is a monthly benefit that can help income eligible households buy the foods they need, when they need them! It can be used at grocery stores, convenience stores, co-ops, and participating farmers markets. Benefits are given to you each month on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card, which works like a debit card. Even if you’ve never been eligible for 3SquaresVT before, please know there are resources available to you. To learn more, visit the 3SVT webpage. You can also call our helpline at 1-855-855-6181, or text ‘VFBSNAP’ to 855-11. You can also email us at 3SVT@vtfoodbank.org.