Fresh Bucks & SNAP/EBT

What is SNAP/EBT?

SNAP, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal nutrition program that helps combat hunger by allowing people to use SNAP benefits to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and farmers' markets. EBT, or Electronic Benefits Transfer, is an electronic system that allows state health and human service departments to issue benefits via a magnetically encoded payment card. While SNAP, EBT, and SNAP/EBT are often used interchangeably, SNAP is the name of the benefits that consumers receive to purchase food, while EBT is the method they use to spend those benefits.

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Does the Mobile Market accept SNAP?

Yes, CLFN's Mobile Market accepts SNAP/EBT payments for the purchase of fresh produce, subject to standard SNAP exceptions.

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How does someone receive SNAP?

Individuals can apply to receive SNAP benefits through their county's Division of Social Services office. A case manager at the office will determine an applicant's eligibility for SNAP and the number of benefits they will receive. Once approved, the client receives a plastic EBT card, similar to a debit card, which they can use to make purchases at authorized retailers.

 

What are Fresh Bucks?

Fresh Bucks are extra market dollars that SNAP/EBT recipients can spend on SNAP-eligible purchases at the Mobile Market. The program doubles the buying power of SNAP/EBT recipients at the market, matching up to $20 per market per day.

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How does Fresh Bucks work?

Customers who purchase items using their EBT card are given additional Fresh Bucks via a matching program visible on their receipts. The Mobile Market is paid for the SNAP/EBT transaction by the federal government through their EBT point-of-sale system and is paid for the Fresh Bucks incentive through WellCare of NC, as the program is funded through a private community resource grant. WellCare's support of the program is expanding the capacity of Fresh Bucks to all SNAP-eligible purchases in 2023 rather than limiting the matching funds to fruits and vegetables only.

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So if I use my EBT card, I get half-priced produce?

Yes, if you purchase $20 in eligible items at the Mobile Market, the total amount withdrawn from your EBT card/SNAP account is only $10, with a maximum daily match of $20. 

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If you have any further questions about the program, you can reach out to CLFN's Executive Director, Stacy Dominguez, for assistance.