Mayor Fenty, DHS Announce Use of EBT Machines at Local Farmers' Markets
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Department of Human Services Income Maintenance Administration (DHS/IMA) announced that the District has installed wireless EBT machines at two new local famers’ market locations, 14th and U Street and Bloomingdale. A total of nine District farmers’ markets now have EBT machines, which allow individual farmers to accept food stamps and other food subsidies in exchange for produce.
“I commend the Income Maintenance Administration and their community partners for working on this important initiative,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “As a result of this program, District residents participating in the District’s food financial assistance programs have increased affordability, as well as access, to fresh and local produce.”
The new wireless EBT machines enable low income district residents to purchase fresh, seasonal produce from outdoor vendors. The District leads several states including Maryland, Connecticut, Georgia, and Wisconsin in the number of farmers’ markets that use EBT machines to accept food subsidies.
DC Hunger Solutions installed the EBT machines using a grant from the USDA Famer’s Market Promotion program. With staff support from DHS Income Maintenance Administration, the new machines became functional this month.
Farmers markets at the following locations accept Get Fresh checks and food stamps:
• 14th and U. 14th and U Streets NW
• Adams Morgan. 1800 Columbia Road NW
• Bloomingdale. 1st and R Streets NW
• Brookland. 12th and Newton St. NE
• Mount Pleasant. Lamont St. and Mt. Pleasant St. NW.
• RFK Open Air. 2700 Benning Road NE
• Riverside/Heritage Park. 601 Division Avenue NE
• Ward 8 Farmers’ Market. Alabama Avenue at 6th Street SE
• FRESHFARM H Street Market. Between 609 9and 625 H St NE
The FRESHFARM H Street Market received $20,000 in grants from the Wholesome Wave Foundation and local organizations for its “Double Dollars” initiative. Participants in “Double Dollars” will receive $2 of produce for every $1 in District-sponsored food subsidies they spend. For more information on the DC Department of Health’s Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, visit http://app.doh.dc.gov/services/wic/svc_farmers_market.shtm.
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