Selling Products at a Farmers' Market

Farmers and producers selling at Farmers’ Markets, Farm Stands, and Mobile Markets may economically benefit from participation in one of the nutrition programs sponsored by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Farmers and producers selling at Farmers’ Markets, Farm Stands, and Mobile Markets may economically benefit from participation in one of the nutrition programs sponsored by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.

FreshConnect Checks

The purpose of the New York State Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is to promote local farmers by expanding their sales at farmers' markets and farm stands, and to foster healthy communities through the consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

NYS Wireless EBT

New York State supports farmers and markets to accept SNAP benefits by providing equipment and reimbursements. Farmers and market operators can become authorized SNAP vendors through this program.

The purpose of the New York State Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) promotes fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers so they may expand their sales through New York State farmers’ markets and farm stands. FMNP also promotes improving nutrition for families enrolled in WIC and low-income seniors through eating more fresh, local fruits and vegetables. The program is intended to encourage economic development in communities through the promotion and expansion of farmers' markets and farm stands in New York State. Consumers who are eligible for these programs are provided with coupons to use for local fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets, farm stands, and mobile markets in New York State.

Farmers and farmers' markets must apply to participate in this program, so that consumers participating in the WIC and Senior programs can use their benefits. Consumers use FMNP coupons to purchase fresh, local, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and culinary herbs from farmers participating in FMNP, and at participating markets in New York State.

Farmer Application 

Farmers interested in applying to the FMNP need to apply each year before accepting any FMNP coupons at a farmers' market, farm stand, or mobile market.

Before you apply, please read the Rules and Procedures for Farmers (FMC-5). This document is also available in Spanish.

A complete application for the program must include:

1. FMNP Farmer Participation Agreement (FMC-6). This document is also available in Spanish.
2. Completed training

These application documents must be submitted and farmers must be authorized on a yearly basis.

Download the full application package in English and in Spanish.

Additional Required Forms

Farmers participating in FMNP must also fill out a Crop Plan (FMC-12) each year. This document is also available in Spanish. This form must be provided to every market manager where FMNP coupons are accepted, every year.

Farmers who operate a Farm Stand in the FMNP must also apply as a market each year.

Coupon Redemption

Farmers’ Markets Nutrition Program Coupons must be mailed, along with the Universal Redemption form, to:

Farmers' Market Federation of New York

109 Twin Oaks Drive, Suites U2-4

Syracuse, New York 13206

Training

All farmers participating in the FMNP must meet an annual training requirement set by the Department.

New farmers must undergo a formal training offered by the Department or a market manager/sponsor using the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program training materials provided by the Department and submit documentation. Learn more about our training options, and register now for one of our upcoming training webinars or take a pre-recorded webinar.

Returning farmers meet the training requirement by reading the Rules and Procedures for Farmers (FMC-5) and by submitting a signed Farmer Participation Agreement (FMC-6).

The FreshConnect Checks Program includes the farmers or vendors who sell SNAP eligible food items at any farmers' market, farm stand, or mobile market in New York State. It also includes farmers’ markets that enroll and participate in the NYS Wireless EBT Program and any farmers’ markets, farm stands, or mobile markets operating in New York State where eligible food items are sold. Find participating markets here.

Participating in FreshConnect

If you are a farmer or vendor interested in participating in the FreshConnect Checks Program, you must first:

• Take a pre-recorded training webinar. This webinar is roughly 30 minutes long and involves a voluntary survey at the end. Those who wish to receive email confirmation of the training must take the survey;

• Familiarize yourself with the rules and procedures for farmers and vendors participating in the FreshConnect program; and
• Request a FreshConnect Checks sign from the manager of your farmers' market, or from the Department. 

Check Redemption

FreshConnect Checks must be mailed, along with the Universal Redemption form, to:

Farmers' Market Federation of New York

109 Twin Oaks Drive, Suites U2-4

Syracuse, New York 13206

Eligible Food Items

FreshConnect Checks are used to purchase SNAP eligible food items. For a complete list of these food items, please refer to the USDA's list of SNAP eligible food items. 

Some examples of eligible and ineligible foods include:

This program allows farmers and market coordinators to become authorized vendors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps). This equips them to accept SNAP benefits using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card reader in exchange for eligible SNAP food items. 

Who Qualifies?

• Farmers who direct market at NYS farmers markets or farm stands, or any other means of direct-to-consumer sales EXCEPT online markets. 
• Farmers Markets
• Farmers who operate a Commodity Shared Agriculture (CSA) business model

Who Does Not Qualify?

• Food box programs
• Non-farmers
• Food Hubs

Farmers who are interested in learning more about how they can accept SNAP should reach out to the Federation or start by attending the SNAP webinar found here.