Food Access

What we accept

• SNAP/EBT — swipe your EBT card at the market manager's tent for tokens you can spend with any of our farmers. Bonus Bucks doubles your purchase up to $10.
• WIC FMNP (Farmers' Market Nutrition Program) — WIC participants receive vouchers each summer that can be used directly with our farmers.
• Senior FMNP — DC seniors enrolled in the program can use FMNP vouchers at our markets.
• Produce Plus — DC's own produce subsidy program, accepted at both markets.
• Cash and credit/debit cards — many of our vendors take cards now, and the market manager's tent can swipe for any vendor that doesn't.

How to use your benefits

For SNAP/EBT, stop at the market manager's tent before you start shopping. We'll swipe your card for any amount up to $10, hand you that amount in SNAP-eligible tokens, plus matching Bonus Bucks. You then spend the tokens with farmers like you would cash.

For WIC FMNP, Senior FMNP, and Produce Plus, just hand the voucher directly to the farmer at the time of purchase. They are familiar with all four programs.

Why this matters

Farmers markets have a reputation for being expensive. Sometimes they are. But that's mostly because the food is the real cost of growing it locally — without the subsidies, the warehouses, and the long supply chains. Our food access programs close that gap so SNAP and WIC households can afford the same fresh, regional produce as anyone else.

Every season, more low-income DC households use the markets thanks to these programs. We track redemptions carefully and reinvest in growing the Bonus Bucks fund each year.

Need help applying for SNAP or WIC?

See our Need Help? page for links and resources, or stop by the market manager's tent any weekend and we'll help you find the right resources.

Want to support food access at the markets? Email [email protected] to learn about Bonus Bucks sponsorship.