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Welcome to the EBT/Link Webinar

Margaret Larson, DirectorJo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties,

University of Illinois Extension

“The goal of this training is to provide you with information and resources to learn how EBT/LINK can benefit your market and expand access to fresh healthy food for low-income residents throughout Illinois.”

Presented December 8, 2010

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Urbana’s Market at the Square

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STRUCTURE

• Machine is leased from Merchant Source• Token system• Service charge to help offset costs• On-site management by Market staff• City’s Finance Dept/Market Director handle

payments & other admin tasks

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PROCEDURE• Vendors receive packet pre-

season• Vendors receive envelope

each week• Staff works with patrons• Token redemption at end of

day• Spreadsheet for internal

recordkeeping• Checks cut for following

week

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PROMOTION

• Pilot year= very little promotion

• Word of mouth• Signage on-site• Worked casually with

other agencies – Public Health, Foodbank, etc

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OUTCOMES

• Sold $5,351 in LINK tokens over 27 week period

• Sold $44,130 in credit/debit tokens over 27 week period

• High patron satisfaction• High farmer/vendor satisfaction• Program will continue in 2011

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PLANS FOR 2011• Overall increase in promotion – WIC grant• Increase in staff/volunteer presence – City

tent was very busy, staff always occupied• Bi-lingual outreach materials into agencies,

food pantries, and schools• Better signage on-site• Web presence at City site for patron education

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Contact information:

Lisa Bralts, DirectorUrbana’s Market at the Square400 S. Vine StreetUrbana, IL 61801

Phone: 217-384-2319Fax: 217-384-0200Email: ljbralts@urbanaillinois.usWeb: www.urbanaillinois.us/market

Find us on Facebook – search for “Urbana’s Market at the Square”

We tweet! www.twitter.com/urbanamarket

I love penguins.

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Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market

Learn about LINK Training Materials

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Where To Find LINK Training Information

• Illinois Department of Agriculture website“Illinois Where Fresh Is”www.illinoiswherefreshis.com (located in the “Farmers Market Forum” section)Includes the “Illinois Farmers’ Market LINK GUIDE” and other resources

• LINK at Illinois Farmers Market Groupsitehttp://farmersmarketlink.groupsite.com/main/summary

• Illinois Department of Human Services website“Accepting LINK at Farmers Markets Federal Application Process” http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=47207

11URL: http://farmersmarketlink.groupsite.com/main/summary

Groupsite to Share Information and Resources

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Contact for more information

• Elaine Sebald, Market ManagerDowntown Bloomington Farmers Marketbloomington_farmersmarket@yahoo.com

• Downtown Bloomington Association: Phone: 309-829-9599

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Illinois LINKLeveraging for Success

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Illinois LINK

Leveraging for Success

• Look at all the angles – beyond the food• Know how serves your community• Know all your funding options• Identify potential partners• Provide matching resources• Be prepared• Success breeds success

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Illinois LINKIdentify All the Benefits – Food and More

• Expands SNAP recipients’ access to a wide variety of fresh, local food products.

• Promotes healthy eating, balanced food choices, and positive health outcomes for low-income residents.

• Aligns with Michelle Obama’s initiative to combat childhood obesity, as well as diabetes and other nutrition-related illnesses.

• Creates opportunities for farmers markets, farm stands and other direct-to-consumer fresh food venues in food deserts and low-income communities.

• Supports local family farms and rural economies.• Creates economic stability for farmers markets.• Creates jobs.• Strengthens communities.

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Illinois LINK

• Community based• State• Federal• Public• Private• Foundations• Individuals

Know All Your Funding Options

• Chambers of Commerce• Local Businesses• Universities• Hospitals• Insurance Companies• State Agencies – IDHS,

Dept of Ag• Federal Agencies - USDA

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Illinois LINKUSDA Food and Nutrition Services

Leveraging Partnership to Fund SNAP Outreach• FNS funding to encourage enrollment in SNAP• States must match this contribution to utilize the fund,• or the State can pass on the funds to non-profit organizations

as a 50% match for their investment in SNAP outreach.• Eligible expenses include: direct mailers, local PSA’s, church

bulletins, NGO newsletters, newspaper advertisements, articles and OP-Eds, promotion at a community event…

• Assistance (i.e. staff time) with point of contact with clients, application, pre-screening…

• Contact IDHS for more info.

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Illinois LINKSuccess Story

Experimental Station

• Leads Illinois for SNAP redemption at farmers markets.• 61st Street Farmers Market: Established in 2008 on South Side

of Chicago (food desert).• 1,000% increase in SNAP sales at 61st Street Farmers Market

from 2008 to 2010.• 70% of SNAP shoppers surveyed said they increased their fruit

and vegetable consumption since shopping at the Market.• Implemented Illinois’ first SNAP Double Value Coupon

Program – doubling up to $25 per card holder, per market day• Oversees six Double Value Coupon Programs

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Illinois LINK

61st Street Farmers Market – SNAP Success

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Illinois LINKLeveraging Success

Beyond the 61st Street Farmers Market

• City of Chicago Farmers Markets EBT Program• HB4756 – Farmers Market Technology Improvement Act• FREE EBT/SNAP Consulting Services• Overtown Farmers Market – South Miami• Link Up Illinois

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Illinois LINKKeys to Successful Leveraging

Have Data• Demonstrate need• Demonstrate past success / track record• Demonstrate potential for program expansion (your

program and beyond)Have a Plan• Detailed budget• Staffing – paid and volunteer• Matching resourcesHave a Goal• Measurable

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Illinois LINK

Contact InfoDennis RyanMarket Manager61st Street Farmers MarketExperimental Station773.241.6044dennisryan@experimentalstation.org

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Corey Chatman EBT/LINK Coordinator for 2010 season

City of Chicago’s Farmers MarketEBT/LINK Pilot Program

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Implementation of EBT/LINK City of Chicago Markets

• The City of Chicago and Experimental Station join forces to implement EBT/LINK program at 5 of the 19 City markets.

• Season ran from May 15th to October 21st

• Serviced markets strategically located across the City. Central, North, South, and West.

• Transactions made with Wireless EBT machine.• Used “Chit” system to facilitate transactions.• Issued $5,000 worth of incentives from Wholesome

Wave’s LINK Buck program.

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Challenges and Lessons learned

Chicago has a highly diverse population, yet many neighborhoods suffer from economic, social, and racial barriers. Overcoming these challenges takes good planning…

• Market location.• Proper signage placement, both in and outside of the

market.• Community outreach.• Incentive programs.

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Challenges and Lessons learned - continued

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Challenges and Lessons learned - Education

• Farmers – What items can and cannot be sold using LINK.– “Chit” & LINK Buck processes.– Reimbursement of purchases.

• Shoppers – What items can and cannot be purchased with their LINK

card.– “Chit” & LINK Buck processes.– Other markets that accept LINK.– Where to go to apply for a LINK card.

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Challenges and Lessons learned - Sensitivity

• The shoppers need to be accepted as any other

shopper, making them feel welcomed in the market.

• The farmers need for ongoing training and help with transactions.

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Sales Transactions.

A look at the numbers…The five markets totaled a $28,944 with 3,537 transactions!

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What's Next?

Due to the tremendous success of the program

for the 2010 season, Chicago is looking to continue providing LINK

services at it’s Farmers Markets.

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What's Next?

The Experimental Station was the recipient of the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotions Program grant for 2010.

• Goal: To aid Farmers Markets throughout the state establish EBT/LINK programs.

• Established EBT/LINK consultant position that provides FREE consulting services to Illinois FM’s.

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Free, Free, Free!

As a FREE resource to Farmers Markets, FM managers, and Market stands in Illinois, we are able to provide the following.

• Guidance on application Process for applying for LINK. • Training Workshops.• Assist with capacity assessment for establishing a

SNAP/EBT/LINK program at your market.• Identifying resources, developing ideas, and

establishing best practices to help create and/or enhance your SNAP/EBT program.

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For help with bringing EBT/LINK to your market contact…

Corey ChatmanSNAP/EBT ConsultantEmail corey@experimentalstation.org(o) 773-241-6044(cell) 773-896-4450Experimental Station6100 S. BlackstoneChicago Il 60637

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Purpose/Results of recent EBT Survey

• Understand how current markets are operating Link/Credit/Debit transactions

• Identify an IL Farmers Market revenue base from EBT transactions

• Share informational data with other farmers markets • Discover new ways to generate funding for this

program

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2010 Range of Link Market Sales to Date

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EBT Survey Results

Mean Lo HiNumber of EBT/Link Vendors 26 3 60Number of Link Transactions 325 34 1470One-time Start-up Costs 677.00$ $1* 1,500.00$ Average Monthly Costs (service fees, mailing costs, etc.) 149.00$ 0* 800.00$

60% of Markets reported the 1st week to be the busiest week of the monthn=17

*Grant supported

Table 1. EBT/Link Administration

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Results, cont.

2009 2010Market Day Average * 173.00$ Average Market Sales to Date 1,181.00$ 3,216.00$ IL Total Sales 10,717.00$ 54,665.00$ n=17

Incentives: Double value coupons

Table 2. Link Sales to Date

*Data was not availble

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Results, cont.

"FMNP, Farmers/vendors accept coupons and are not signed up for program. Shoppers not always clear on what theycan buy with coupons ans shoppers confuse the market with an actual store."

"A few vendors have accepted WIC coupons that were not authorized"

"We have confusion with FMNP coupons. Farmers forget they can't accept them if not pre-approved. Customers get frustrated because not all farmers accept them."

If your market offers multiple food assistance programs (Link, FMNP, WIC), have you encountered any farmers and/or shopper confusion?

"Many farmers' who have Link eligible products, but not FMNP/WIC eligible products automatically think they can accept the FMNP/WIC coupons because they can accept Link tokens. Sometimes shoppers try to buy non-produce items with FMNP/WIC coupons because they see the signs indicating that the farmer accepts Link benefits."

"Patron confusion re: who accepts FMNP coupons (City or farmer?)"

"Vendors just mixed up the programs"

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Results, cont.

"FMNP, Farmers/vendors accept coupons and are not signed up for program. Shoppers not always clear on what theycan buy with coupons ans shoppers confuse the market with an actual store."

"A few vendors have accepted WIC coupons that were not authorized"

"We have confusion with FMNP coupons. Farmers forget they can't accept them if not pre-approved. Customers get frustrated because not all farmers accept them."

If your market offers multiple food assistance programs (Link, FMNP, WIC), have you encountered any farmers and/or shopper confusion?

"Many farmers' who have Link eligible products, but not FMNP/WIC eligible products automatically think they can accept the FMNP/WIC coupons because they can accept Link tokens. Sometimes shoppers try to buy non-produce items with FMNP/WIC coupons because they see the signs indicating that the farmer accepts Link benefits."

"Patron confusion re: who accepts FMNP coupons (City or farmer?)"

"Vendors just mixed up the programs"

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Best Practices SharedPlease share with us any Best Practices you feel would help others implement the

EBT/Link program in the future. And, if you have additional thoughts regarding EBT/Credit/Debit transactions, please let us know.

When a Link transaction occurs at a grocery store, most consumers would not notice because a Link card looks identical to a credit or debit card. However, when using a Link card at the market the consumer must come to a special window and then receive "tokens" as their means of currency. Next, they must hand these tokens to a vendor in exhange for the product. Therefore, it is more noticeable at the market when someone is utilizing Link benefits than it is in a grocery store. This is something that concerns me. I know that many markets alleviate this problem by having tokens for credit/debit users, so that Link users are not as distinguishable, however, we do not want to handle consumer cash at our market.

We are not, at this time, planning to raise vendor fees to cover the cost of credit/debit/LINK at the Market. The Market is, instead, using its own funds to pay for the program, in addition to transaction fees passed along to Market patrons. This amount, now $1.00, may be increased for the 2011 season. We've been swamped with transactions at our Market. We would benefit a great deal from having a staff member of volunteer to manage this aspect of the Market, as current staff is barely handling the volume plus other tasks.

The farmers market is not assessing any fees for this program, for the link or for the credit/debit program to either the customers of the vendors. We are using general market funds to finance this.

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Please share with us any Best Practices you feel would help others implement the EBT/Link program in the future. And, if you have additional thoughts regarding

EBT/Credit/Debit transactions, please let us know.

We are absorbing operating fees into the market's general expense. We do not believe that it is cost effective to allocate fees back to the individual farmer/vendor.

We found housing the EBT Machine and acting as the first contact for EBT users is working best. Growth is significant over the last month. Keeping scripts on hand at the Information Tent and distributing them to EBT users upon arrival, making it easier for everyone, and is working well. Like anything new, our volunteers were nervous about helping but once they see the simplified process, they have become enthusiastic. EBT users seem very pleased to have the option and word is spreading quickly throughout schools and senior residences. While it has taken longer for usage, we are seeing more and more usage with each market. Very exciting!

1. Before implementing Link, make sure your market has the demand and can handle the costs and staffing needs 2. Establish as many partnerships as possible in the community -- with potential funders, organizations that work with potential recipients (e.g., food pantries), and groups that can help with volunteers (e.g., social justice organizations) 3. Make sure vendors understand the program and what is expected of them. Also make sure they appreciate how it will benefit them by bringing in sales they might not otherwise have made. 4. Determine how your market is going to promote the program and attract Link customers -- this has been much harder than we expected, and we are still not happy with our results. 5. Celebrate and publicize your successes!

Results, cont.

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Contact for more information:

• Sylvia Smith, Ph.D., CHE Food and Nutrition Professor, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleMC 4317, Quigley Hall Rm 209BCarbondale, IL 62901

• Phone: 618/536-7567 • Email: ssmith8@siu.edu

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Upcoming Training Opportunities

2011 Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference Jan. 5-7, 2011, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center,

Springfield, IL To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor

information, contact Diane Handley at 309/557-2107 or DHandley@ilfb.org

Registration form can be printed from the website listed below for emailing, mailing or faxing to ISGA

Agenda and Registration information, check out www.specialtygrowers.org

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Special Pre-Conference Workshop January 5, 2010 “EXPANDING FARMERS MARKET OPPORTUNITIES”

• Learn How To Grow Community Services and Advocate for Farmers Market -Stacy Miller, Ex. Director, Farmers Market Coalition (invited) http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/

• Learn new Marketing Changes and Innovations - Lisa Bralts, Director -Market on the Square, City of Urbana (Facilitator for panel presentation) www.urbanaillinois.us/market. www.market-at-the-square.blogspot.com

• Learn how local food systems are impacting local food and farmers markets across the state, Delayne Reeves, Marketing Representative Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Marketing and Promotions (Facilitator for panel presentation)

• To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor information, contact Diane Handley at 309/557-2107 or Dhandley@ilfb.org

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2011 Regional Farmers Market Forum Meetings

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!! Plan to attend one in your area:

Chicago February 16, 2011 Springfield March 1, 2011 Mt. Vernon March 3, 2011 Dekalb March 9, 2011More details will be distributed through IDOA’s blast

email list in early 2011 -

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Check out these Resources

• 2012 Illinois Specialty Crop Grant Program USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program COMING SOON! – Request For Proposals Information http://www.agr.state.il.us/Grants/specialtycrops.html

• IDOA’s websites www.illinoiswherefreshis.com Farmers Market Forum -

http://www.agr.state.il.us/farmersmarket/

• USDA’s website Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?

navid=KNOWYOURFARMER

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Contact for more Information:

Delayne Reeves, Marketing RepresentativeIllinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Marketing

and PromotionsPhone: 217/524-9129 Fax 217/524-5960Email: delayne.reeves@illinois.gov• Pat Stieren, Coordinator, IL Farmers Market

Network, Phone: 217/522-4274Email: pstieren@gmail.com