Many farmers markets and farm stands take SNAP. You usually swipe your EBT card at the market’s information booth and get tokens or scrip to spend at the stalls, or pay a farmer directly on a card reader. Many markets also offer incentive programs that match your SNAP dollars on fruits and vegetables, so $10 in SNAP can turn into $20 of produce. The best-known is Double Up Food Bucks.
To find markets near you, use USDA’s SNAP Retailer Locator and filter the store type to “Farmers and Markets.”
How paying works at a market
| Setup | What you do |
|---|---|
| Central booth with tokens | Swipe your EBT card at the booth for the amount you want; get wooden or plastic tokens; spend them at stalls |
| Farmer’s own card reader | Pay the farmer directly with your card and PIN, like a store |
| Farm stand or CSA | Many take EBT directly; some CSAs let you pay weekly with SNAP |
Tips:
- SNAP tokens usually don’t give change, so plan purchases in whole-dollar amounts, or ask the booth to swipe a little less.
- Unused tokens usually carry over to your next visit at that market. Ask to be sure.
- Everything SNAP can buy at a store, it can buy at a market: produce, eggs, meat, cheese, honey, bread, and seeds and plants that grow food. Hot prepared food, crafts and flowers aren’t covered.
Programs that stretch your SNAP
These nutrition incentive programs are funded partly by USDA’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which had about $36 million available for incentive grants in 2026.
| Program | Where | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Double Up Food Bucks | Dozens of states, 1,700+ locations (markets and some grocery stores) | Matches SNAP dollar for dollar on fruits and vegetables, usually up to a daily limit |
| Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) | Massachusetts | Money back on your EBT card for produce bought at markets, farm stands, mobile markets and CSAs: up to $40, $60 or $80 a month by household size |
| Health Bucks | New York City | $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 in SNAP spent, up to $10 a day, at 100+ markets year-round |
Michigan raised its Double Up daily cap from $20 to $50 on May 1, 2026, and added frozen produce at participating grocery stores. Caps differ by state and store, so check at the booth.
Worked example
Tanya in Massachusetts has a household of three and $400 in SNAP a month. At her farmers market she spends $60 of SNAP on fruits and vegetables. Through HIP, $60 goes back onto her card (the cap for a 3-person household), because she spent it on fruits and vegetables. Her $60 of produce effectively cost nothing, leaving that money for other groceries.
HIP money doesn’t roll over from month to month, and she needs a SNAP balance above $0 to use it.
Finding markets that take SNAP
- USDA SNAP Retailer Locator: enter your address and filter “SNAP Store Type Classification” to “Farmers and Markets.”
- USDA National Farmers Market Directory and On-Farm Market Directory (from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service).
- Double Up Food Bucks website for participating sites by state.
- Your state SNAP agency or local food bank, which often keeps a seasonal list.
Market hours change by season, and many close in winter. Call ahead or check the market’s social media before you go.
Why it’s worth the trip
Market produce is picked closer to sale, and with a match program your SNAP buys twice as much of it. Markets also often take Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) on the same card in states that load it there; see Summer EBT. Some states run separate WIC and senior farmers market coupon programs as well; see WIC vs SNAP.
For farmers and market managers
Markets and farmers apply to USDA to become SNAP-authorized. Each market location needs its own authorization. States provide free SNAP-only card equipment, and USDA runs a grant program to help cover the costs. USDA’s farmers market SNAP line is 312-353-6609.
Quick answers
Can I buy vegetable plants with SNAP? Yes. Seeds and plants that produce food are SNAP-eligible.
Do soda and candy bans apply at markets? In states with SNAP food restrictions, the same items should be restricted at markets too; see SNAP soda and candy ban states.
Can I check my balance at the market? The booth can, or use your app; see how to check your EBT balance.
Prefer to shop from home? See using SNAP online. More SNAP help by topic: SNAP and EBT guides.
Sources: USDA: SNAP for farmers and producers, USDA: Farmers markets accepting SNAP, USDA: GusNIP, USDA NIFA: FY2026 GusNIP funding notice, Double Up Food Bucks: About, Fair Food Network: Michigan Double Up changes 2026, Mass.gov: HIP FAQ, NYC Health: Health Bucks, USDA AMS: Local food directories.