Marketing

Since EBT is not accepted at most farmers' markets, a common misconception among EBT customers is that EBT is not accepted at any farmers' market. As more markets begin accepting EBT, word will get around, and markets around the state should see a general increase in EBT sales.

Until then, you will need to work creatively at getting the word out. It may be important to make your efforts bilingual. Consider these marketing ideas:

• Make public service announcements on radio and TV.
• Run articles and ads in community newspapers and pennysavers.
• Invite the local media to your market. Connect with any forthcoming stories or articles about farmers, food stamps, or hunger in your community.
• Create market posters for FoodShare offices, food pantries, thrift stores, local churches, Head Start centers, and local businesses. Partner with these organizations to circulate your information along with their literature.
• Make abundant signage for the market itself, advertising that you accept EBT.
• Place ads inside city buses and at bus stops. Your public transit authority may offer ad space for little or no cost.
• Consider direct mailing. The DHFS cannot legally provide you with the mailing addresses of FoodShare recipients, but if you provide the flyers, envelopes (if needed), and postage, the DHFS will mail your brochures, sorted by zip code areas that you select, at no cost.
• See "Additional Resources" for links to sites with sample promotional materials.

D.C. Hunger Solutions recently published the following report, which details methods for improving a farmers' market's capacity to serve low-income customers: http://www.dchunger.org/foodstampsacceptedhere.pdf