Benefits now accepted at market

SANDUSKY — Starting this Saturday, the Sandusky Farmers Market will begin accepting benefits from/through SNAP, shorthand for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; EBT, shorthand for Electronic Benefit Transfer; and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. For the first time, families and seniors will be able to use these benefits to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and other eligible items right in downtown Sandusky. The market will use a simple token system: • Shoppers can stop at the information booth, swipe their EBT cards for the amount they'd like to spend and receive tokens to use at vendor booths. • Vendors display a "SNAP accepted here" sign and turn in the tokens at the end of the day for reimbursement. • Seniors using Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits will also be able to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and certain forms of honey. Rachael Summerfield, event coordinator at Greater Sandusky Partnership, coordinates the Sandusky Farmers Market. "This is a big step forward for both our vendors and the community," Summerfield said. "Our small business vendors dedicate their Saturday mornings to this market, and now more neighbors can support them while getting access to healthy, local food." Going forward, each week, staff and volunteers from Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio will be at the market to answer questions and help people learn more about SNAP. "SNAP isn't just for families with children," said Stephanie King, the SNAP and benefits outreach coordinator at Second Harvest. "Many of your neighbors, including people who work full-time, may qualify, too. Everyone is struggling right now, and programs like this help people afford the fresh fruits and vegetables that should be part of every diet." Leslie Johnson, a registered dietitian and Founder of Green Gean Grove, assisted the partnership in completing the application to offer these benefits. "Downtown Sandusky is a food desert with the nearest large-scale grocery store 2 miles away," Johnson said. "For community members without reliable transportation, that distance can make it difficult to get fresh produce. And for those who walk, carrying heavy groceries back is a real barrier." She continued: "Allowing SNAP and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits to be used at the Sandusky Farmers Market helps bridge this gap. It makes fresh, local produce more accessible and is an important investment in our community's health and a meaningful way to reduce the burden of chronic disease." The Sandusky Farmers Market is a program of the Greater Sandusky Partnership and is sponsored by Firelands Health. The market runs every Saturday through October at 100 E. Washington Row in downtown Sandusky. "By accepting SNAP and SFMNP, the Sandusky Farmers Market ensures all residents can access fresh, nutritious food, while also bringing new customers to our vendors," partnership CEO Eric Wobser said. "It's a win-win for healthy living and local business." People can learn more by emailing afisher@greatersandusky.com or visiting facebook.com/sanduskyfarmersmarket.