SNAP

The program is managed at the federal level by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and requires that food vendors be licensed with FNS before accepting SNAP benefits for approved food items. In Michigan, the program is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services and is referred to as the Food Assistance Program.

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase any approved food item for human consumption and seeds and plants that produce food. Clients receive their benefits via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system that works like a debit card to transfer their benefits to the food retailer. In Michigan, the EBT card has a picture of the Mackinac Bridge on it and is called the SNAP Bridge Card.

Michigan Farmers Markets and Direct Marketing Farmers Can Apply for No Cost Wireless SNAP Equipment and Service

In 2017, the State of Michigan pledged support to help sustain and grow the ability of farmers markets and direct marketing farmers to accept SNAP benefits by including funds in the 2018 state budget to obtain no cost wireless point of sale devices and service. Since that time, more than 75 markets have applied for and received this equipment bolstering their ability to securely provide healthy food access to their customers. If your market or farm stand is interested in obtaining no-cost wireless point of sale equipment and service, now is the time!

In Michigan, 1 in 7 people receive SNAP benefits, and 1.5 million residents received $153 million in SNAP benefits in the month of August 2018. In 2017, more than $619,000 worth of SNAP benefits were redeemed at farmers markets in Michigan.

MIFMA has compiled a resource manual titled “Accepting SNAP Bridge Cards at Michigan Farmers Markets” to help farmers market managers learn everything they need to know about accepting SNAP benefits including information on (1) designating a responsible party, (2) completing the USDA FNS application, (3) obtaining a point of sale device, (4) setting up an alternative redemption system and (5) implementing the program at your farmers market. 

Annually, MIFMA also hosts and records a webinar to provide additional guidance to farmers markets that are starting to accept SNAP benefits. Access the recording of the 2020 Accepting SNAP at Michigan Farmers Markets webinar here.

MIFMA recognizes that the increase in the number of farmers markets in Michigan accepting SNAP Bridge Cards would not have been possible without the support of partners from all over the state. 

More information about SNAP Bridge Card acceptance at farmers markets in Michigan can be found in the report titled “Bridging the Gap Report: Connecting Vulnerable Michigan Families with Local Food and Farmers 2017 SNAP Bridge Card Use at Michigan Farmers Markets Report”. MIFMA has compiled this report annually since 2009, and previous reports are available here.  Additional information about accepting SNAP at your farmers market is available on a fact sheet outlining Frequently Asked Questions about SNAP and is also available from USDA FNS.

Use our Food Assistance Eligibility Guide to understand what products can be purchased with each food assistance benefit offered at Michigan farmers markets.

If you need assistance or have questions about a specific program, please see our Food Access Contact List.