Double Your 3SquaresVT Money at Farmers Markets!

Comic about using 3SquaresVT benefits at farmers markets.

Double your 3SquaresVT dollars at farmers markets this summer! Many farmers markets in the state of Vermont participate in a NOFA-VT program called Crop Cash. At these markets, when you swipe your EBT card, you can get up to $10 in Crop Cash coupons. This means you get the 3SquaresVT dollars you are redeeming off your EBT card, and then additional FREE bonus dollars in the form of Crop Cash coupons. Across the state of Vermont, 33 farmers markets participate in the Crop Cash program.

The beauty of shopping at a farmers market with your EBT card, and taking advantage of the Crop Cash program, is that all these dollars go straight back into the local Vermont economy and into the hands of our tireless farmers. Are you a proud Vermont neighbor? Do you know your local farmer? You can rest assured that these programs empower you to invest in your local economy and in your farmers while also doubling your 3SquaresVT dollars. It’s a win-win.

Here’s a play-by-play of how using EBT and Crop Cash at a market will work:

  1. Visit a participating farmers market (complete list).
  1. Look for the market manager’s table—this is where you can swipe your EBT card.
  2. 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.
  3. You will be given $1 wooden tokens in the amount that you redeem off your EBT card, which can be used to buy any 3SquaresVT-eligible food at the market: fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs, baked goods, and more. Note that you cannot use 3SquaresVT money to purchase hot, prepared foods.
  4. You will also be given $1 of Crop Cash for every $1 in 3SquaresVT benefits you spend (you can get up to $10 of Crop Cash per day). You can use Crop Cash to purchase…you guessed it, crops! Specifically, food crops. This includes fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible plant seeds and seedlings at the market. Crop Cash must be used by the expiration date indicated on the coupon and can only be redeemed at the market at which you received them. But you can go to many participating markets a week to receive Crop Cash at each one individually!
  5. Come back and do it again next week! You can always save your EBT tokens and Crop Cash and use them at next week’s market, as long as you use them before they expire!

**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.

Not enrolled in 3SquaresVT? 3SquaresVT (sometimes called SNAP) is a monthly benefit that can help income eligible households buy food! With this program, benefits are given to you each month on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card, which works like a debit card that can be swiped at grocery stores, convenience stores, co-ops, and participating farmers markets. This program is officially administered by Economic Services Division at the State of Vermont. The Vermont Foodbank can answer questions and help you apply! To learn more, visit the 3SVT webpage. You can also call the Vermont Foodbank’s 3SquaresVT helpline at 1-855-855-6181, or text ‘VFBSNAP’ to 855-11. You can also email us at 3SVT@vtfoodbank.org.