Token Program, Fresh Funds, WIC and Senior Coupons
Did you know that you can use your debit or SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) EBT card at the market? We piloted our Token Program in 2005 and created a Token Program Coordinator position in 2006 to ensure its continued success. Simply drop by the information booth (at the west entrance of the market) to use your debit or EBT card.
Debit Purchases: Customers using their debit card will receive wooden tokens in $5 denominations. These orange $5 tokens never expire and are accepted by all vendors at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market. There are no limitations on purchases made with the orange $5 tokens and change can be made. Vendors will give you change in cash if you do not spend the full amount of the token. We apply a $1.50 transaction fee which supports the EBT side of the Token Program.
SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamp) Purchases: Customers using their EBT card (known as Oregon Trail in Oregon and Basic Food in Washington) will receive tokens in $1 denominations. Just like any other SNAP EBT dollars, these green $1 tokens may only be used to purchase vegetables, fruit, poultry, seafood, meat, breads, dairy products and plants or seeds for growing food. The green $1 tokens may NOT be used to purchase hot ready-to-eat foods, soda, or non-food items. Change cannot be made, so we suggest that SNAP customers shop the market with some loose change to use with their EBT tokens.
Fresh Funds Program: The Hollywood Farmers Market received a generous grant from New Seasons Market to fund a SNAP/EBT match program at the market. Every Saturday, SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) customers can use their card at the market to withdraw tokens to spend on fresh local food. We will match, dollar-to-dollar up to $5, those funds to help increase the purchasing power of SNAP recipients and reward healthy eating.
This match will last as long as we have funds available. Please consider making a donation next time you’re at the market. Stop by the Information Booth on NE 44th & Hancock. Our crowd counts are over 4,000 every week. If every customer donated just $1, we could make the match last through the end of the season. You may also consider attending one of our fund raisers – all proceeds will go to the Fresh Funds Program. Check out our blog for more information. Whatever you can afford, we thank you!!!
WIC and Senior Coupons
Customers participating in the Farm Direct Nutrition Program may use their WIC or Senior checks at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market between June 1st and October 31st. Please look for the “Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Checks Welcome Here!” sign in each eligible vendor’s booth. Check out the Farm Direct Nutrition Program website for more information.