Market Match FAQs 

Double Your SNAP With BAV

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures’ Market Match Fund provides a $1-for-$1 SNAP match, up to $30 for a total of $60 to spend at our partner farmers markets.

Check out the frequently asked questions below, to learn how to use SNAP at every participating farmers market.

Save this information for later by downloading the “MMF How-To” info sheet.

 
 

Where to Shop with SNAP

Farmers market that offer a $1-for-$1 match up to $30, include:

Farmers markets not listed above likely offer SNAP or other benefit matching programs. A list of all Berkshire area farmers markets can be found on the Berkshire Grown website page, Berkshire Farmers Markets.

Using SNAP at the Farmers Market

What is SNAP?

SNAP refers to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides benefits to supplement the food budget of low-income individuals and families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. The program is administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through its nationwide network of FNS field offices. Learn more about SNAP and other food assistance programs on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.

What is “market match”?

The term “market match” (sometimes referred to as “double up bucks”) describes a nutrition incentive program, independently adopted and managed by farmers markets and organizations across the country. This program is structured to reward SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) participants when they spend their SNAP dollars at farmers markets, also encouraging people to shop with local farms.

How do I use SNAP/EBT at the farmers market?

  1. Visit a Berkshire area farmers market. 

  2. Locate the information tent or table and look for the Market Manager. 

  3. Swipe your EBT card to purchase as many wooden tokens as you'd like. These tokens act as cash at the market.

  4. Markets included in BAV’s Market Match Fund will match $1-for-$1 when you check out – up to $30 per visit for a total of $60 to spend! 

  5. Spend your tokens at any farm stand selling SNAP-eligible foods. 

What do I do with left over tokens?

Tokens don't have an expiration date! Keep unused tokens to use the next time you shop at the farmers market. But keep in mind, tokens are specific to each market. 

About the Market Match Fund

What is the Market Match Fund?

BAV’s Market Match Fund is an economic development & food access initiative that aims to increase the impact of SNAP benefits at area farmers markets. BAV looks at three goals as our guiding principles:

1) Centralize how market match funding is raised and distributed across Berkshire County, to improve efficiency without adding to markets’ expenses or workloads;

2) Increase revenue opportunities for local farms and food producers to help expand the regional economy; and

3) Make fresh, locally produced food consistently affordable for low-income (SNAP-eligible) families.

Learn more about the Market Match Fund here.

How can BAV’s Market Match Fund help me? 

Through the Market Match Fund, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures awards grants to farmers markets that allows the markets to double your SNAP benefits. Matching $1-for-$1 up to $30, giving you $60 to spend at any partner farmers market! 

Can my farmer’s market apply for a Market Match Fund grant?

Market Match Fund grants are available to farmers markets within BAV’s service area. Every farmers market is unique, so if you are interested in applying for funds we encourage you to reach out to the Fund’s Project Manager, Ciana Barnaba through our Contact Us page.

Supporting Farm Viability & Local Food Access

Why is the Market Match Fund important?

Supporting market match programs increases low-income households’ purchasing power and autonomy at local markets, allowing all SNAP-eligible customers to shop with ease and reassurance knowing they can make the most of their SNAP dollars while nourishing their families. 

Every dollar matched is being spent on locally produced foods. Therefore, the Market Match Fund is equally important to the farmers at this markets. Providing SNAP customers with increased purchasing power allows significant business growth opportunities for farmers and food producers who benefit from the bolstered SNAP matching revenue stream.

This fund provide critical support to Berkshire County farmers markets, leveling the playing field of who can afford local foods, ultimately leading to healthier communities and thriving local agribusinesses well into the future. 

How can I support BAV’s Market Match Fund?

Donate to BAV! We cannot sustain this grant program without financial support. Every dollar gifted to the Market Match Fund goes directly to both families in need and local farmers. You can donate to the Market Match Fund on our Support page.

BAV is also actively looking for sponsors to support this program. To learn how to become sponsor reach out the Program Manager, Ciana Barnaba at ciana@berkshireagventures.org.

Learn more about Berkshire Agricultural Ventures’ Market Match Fund and other initiatives that support local farmers.

Support BAV

Help us on our mission to build a thriving local food economy. Your support helps us keep our services affordable and interest rates at or near 0% for farmers and food entrepreneurs.