“There are these amazing local programs. When you go to the farmers market, NOFA-VT extends the value of your 3SquaresVT so that you can get even more fresh local food and support farmers that way. And the Co-op has their Food for All program, which helps you get an additional discount on the food that you buy there.
“You get access to like this wonderful healthy food and you get to support local businesses… Our family has a really big commitment to supporting local businesses and local farmers and it feels really good that with our EBT, we spend the majority of it on local food and that money stays in Vermont.”
~Vermont mom shopping with 3SquaresVT benefits
How can you enjoy Vermont’s harvests this summer, even on a budget? Here are five ways to stretch your food budget and eat local this season.
Get Seeds and Seedlings to Eat Local, From Your Garden!
Stretching 3SquaresVT Benefits:
Many grocery stores sell seeds and seedlings. You can purchase vegetable, fruit, and herb seed packets and seedlings with 3SquaresVT benefits.
Tips for Everyone:
- Some libraries in Vermont have “seed libraries” that help patrons start their gardens for free!
- Vermont is home to a network of more than 600 community-based gardens. Search The Vermont Garden Network garden directory for a garden near you.
Two Approaches to Simple Gardening:
- Keep it contained. Select items you use regularly that can be harvested continuously – like lettuce, herbs, cherry tomatoes and strawberries. Plant these in pots. Minimal weeding, easy to water, and you can keep them close to the kitchen for easy access.
- Stay grounded. Sow seeds right into bare ground in late May or early June. Squashes, root vegetables and cucumbers do well this way and are easier plants to grow. Plant more than you need and when sprouts come up, pull the weaker of any that are too close together.
Discounts at Your Local Co-op
Co-ops are known for stocking locally grown produce and protein. For an annual fee, co-op members receive a discount on their purchases.
Stretching 3SquaresVT Benefits:
Many co-ops offer free or affordable memberships and discounts on food when you shop with 3SquaresVT benefits. Some participating co-ops are listed below. The process varies a little by store, so follow the link to your local store for more information.
For everyone:
Discounts may be available for people with WIC, SSI, and/or other benefits. Check each store for its offerings.
Hunger Mountain Coop in Montpelier
Eat Local with Farmers Market Coupons
Stretching 3SquaresVT Benefits:
The Crop Cash program multiplies your 3SquaresVT benefits at farmers markets. When you swipe your EBT card (the plastic card that benefits come on) at the market, you can get up to $20 in free Crop Cash coupons and up to $10 in Crop Cash Plus. You can use Crop Cash coupons to buy fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plant seedlings at the market. You can use Crop Cash Plus coupons to buy any SNAP-eligible food item at the market.
Find Crop Cash coupons at participating farmers markets in Vermont.
Tips for everyone:
The state’s Farm to Family program offers coupons to use at Vermont farmers markets. Households with WIC benefits qualify; so do households below a certain monthly income.
Apply and receive a booklet of five $6 coupons – a $30 value (up to $48 for people ages 60 and over).
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 coupons. Once you get your coupons, you can use them at participating farmers markets.
Farm Stand Coupons
Stretching 3SquaresVT Benefits:
You can get free coupons to shop at some farm stands in Vermont—this program is called Farm Stand Match. When you swipe your EBT card at participating farmstands, you will receive additional coupons to shop at the farmstand with.
CSA Discounts
Some farms offer significant discounts on their CSA farm shares. A CSA (which stands for Community Supported Agriculture) is a share of vegetables that you pick up from a farm on a set schedule. Typically, CSAs offer weekly pickup for around 20 weeks each summer; and many farms offer winter share programs. The application for a discount on a summer share closed in February, but the application for a discounted winter share opens on August 1—save the date.
You can contact our team at Vermont Foodbank with questions about any of these programs or for help applying for 3SquaresVT benefits. Call us at (855) 855-6181, text VFBCHAT to 61222, or email 3svt@vtfoodbank.org.
It has been a busy few weeks in Montpelier and we've now crossed the mid-point of the Vermont state legislative session, called “crossover” under the golden dome in Montpelier.
A new survey reported by CNN on 3/12/26 reveals that many Americans are skipping meals to pay for rising health care costs: “Roughly one-third of respondents – equivalent to more than 82 million Americans – said they have had to cut back on at least one daily living expense to cover their health care bills, according to the survey of nearly 20,000 adults.”
Starting March 1st, some Vermont neighbors could lose 3SquaresVT food benefits unless they report information to VT-Economic Services Division (VT-ESD) about work, volunteer hours, or certain life situations that excuse them from work requirements. Contact our team for free, one-on-one assistance.
