North Fulton Today

The City of Alpharetta, in collaboration with the Alpharetta Business Association (ABA), has announced the introduction of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the Alpharetta Farmers Market. This initiative aims to provide community members with access to fresh and locally sourced foods while supporting local farmers and vendors.

Starting in April, SNAP recipients will be able to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at the market to obtain wooden tokens for purchasing eligible food items from participating vendors. The program seeks to make healthy food options more accessible to low-income families and senior citizens in Alpharetta.

"By incorporating the SNAP/EBT program into our farmers market, we’re not only addressing food insecurity but also supporting our local food system," said Jim Gilvin, Mayor of Alpharetta. "This initiative reflects our city’s dedication to offering the highest quality environment for our residents and businesses while fostering a strong sense of community."

Community meetings held in 2021 for developing the City Agriculture Plan identified SNAP inclusion at the market as a priority. The plan was adopted by the Alpharetta City Council in December 2022. Since then, the ABA has worked with city staff and community organizations to gain approval from the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"We are very happy to offer this service to the community and expand the customer base for our market vendors," said Beth Johnson, Board Member of the ABA. "We know from talking with other farmers markets that introducing this program truly benefits everyone."

SNAP participants can visit the ABA tent at the market to exchange EBT benefits for tokens in $1 and $5 increments. These tokens can be used with participating vendors who will submit them for reimbursement through PayPal twice a month.

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase various nutritious foods including fresh produce, meats, dairy, grains, and more. Vendors interested in participating will receive training on program guidelines.

For more information on SNAP/EBT or vendor participation inquiries, visit www.AlpharettaFarmersMarket.com.