Both the [1] North Berwick Farmers’ Market and [2] Fresh Start Farm’s CSA are accepting Food Stamps through EBT (electronic benefits transfer) — hurrah for helping to make fresh, local food accessible to all! Thanks to support from community businesses, the North Berwick Farmers’ Market is able to double the value of Food Stamps through a “market match” system. From [3] Foster’s:

NORTH BERWICK — Last Friday was opening day for the North Berwick Farmers Market, held every Friday 3-6 p.m. at the Town Hall parking lot. In its third year, the market has grown in vendors and sales every year, said Manager Rebekah Yonan. This year the market is taking Food Stamps for the first time, and is only the second farmers market in York County, Maine, to do so. Sanford’s market also accepts the federal subsidy payments.

 

At the North Berwick market, an added aid for people using Food Stamps is a “market match” system where half the purchase is subsidized up to $20 so customers get twice as much value. Initial funding for the match system is coming from Kennebunk Savings Bank, Hussey Seating and Carpe Diem Coffee. ”The government is putting billions into food stamps and the idea is to try to bring that in locally. The idea is for people to have access to quality food. It’s really a perfect match,” said Yonan.

 

Vendors range from vegetable growers to bakers, nurseries to a livestock owner who knits items from her own animals’ wool. Food Stamp users have to bring their Pine Tree card and have it swiped at a processing booth before shopping. Other states’ cards, such as New Hampshire, also are accepted.

 

The market will be open through October. For more information call 207-676-3356 or visit [4] www.northberwickfarmersmarket.org or on Facebook.

Similarly, Fresh Start Farm’s CSA is offering half-price shares to EBT users. For more information: [5] www.cultivatingcommunity.org.