Food Access

Food Access Programs

SNAP/EBT

The Carnation Farmers Market is proud to accept SNAP/EBT! The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) makes it easy for everyone to buy healthy and fresh food at our market!

How it works:

  1. Visit the information booth at the market.
  2. Market staff or volunteers will swipe your card for any even number amount that you request.
  3. You will be given wooden tokens in $2 increments to buy anything except cut flowers, alcohol, and food/drink that is intended to be consumed on site.
  4. Shop at the market!

*These tokens never expire and can be used at any point during the market season.

For information on applying for EBT benefits call 1.877.501.2233 or visit https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/basic-food.

Fresh Bucks

The Fresh Bucks incentive program allows you to double your dollars when you use your EBT card at the market. Fresh Bucks can only be used to purchase food items including: fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and plants that grow food.

How it works:

  1. Go to the information booth at the market
  2. Swipe your EBT/SNAP card and redeem your desired amount of EBT dollars in wooden tokens
  3. Double your EBT dollars up to $10 per cardholder
  4. Shop from any eligible vendor and buy fresh items!

*Fresh Bucks expire on an annual basis. The 2018 Fresh Bucks can be used until 12/31/2018

To learn more visit: http://www.freshbuckseattle.org/

WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) checks are specifically for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers market. To receive WIC or FMNP checks you must be eligible for the program. Checks are disbursed through your local DSHS office.

How it works:

  1. You will receive your checks at the start of the growing season.
  2. Come to our market and purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and honey directly with our vendors.
  3. Vendors cannot give back change so the entire amount of the check must be spent at one time
  4. These checks expire at the end of the growing season, usually around October.

To be eligible for Senior FMNP, you must be 60 or older and have an annual income below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Applications are available each spring from the Seattle/King County Office of Aging and Disability Services and are due by May 11. For more information, please call Senior Information and Services at 206-448-3110 or visit http://www.agingkingcounty.org/what-we-do/healthy-aging/#sfmnp.

WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs are sponsored by the US Dept of Agriculture; the WA State Dept of Health, Community Wellness and Prevention; and the WA State Dept of Social and Health Services, Aging and Disability Services Administration. For more information, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program-fmnp.

Veggie Rx

Carnation Farmers Market has partnered with Snoqualmie Valley Hospital and Clinic to make healthy eating a central part of your healthcare. If you are suffering from an illness that can be remedied or bettered by a produce-enriched diet, you may be able to receive a prescription for fruits and vegetables redeemable at Carnation Farmers Market, free of charge! 

How it works:

  1. Visit Snoqualmie Valley Hospital or Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Clinic for a Veggie Rx prescription.
  2. Bring your Veggie Rx sheet to the Info booth at the market. 
  3. Redeem all or part of the value of your prescription in market tokens.
  4. Shop from any eligible vendor and buy fresh produce!

*Veggie Rx prescriptions expire on an annual basis. Use 2019’s Veggie Rx prescriptions until 11/26/2019