Get Food

There are several food assistance programs that can be used at the Arlington Farmers’ Market.

• SNAP
• HIP
• Arlington EATS Fresh Bucks
• Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons for seniors and WIC participants

SNAP

SNAP is the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps. Several of the vendors at the Arlington Farmers’ Market are able to process SNAP EBT cards.
You can use your card for SNAP-eligible foods the same way you would use it at the grocery store.

Busa Farm, Copicut Farm, Dick’s Market Garden, Kimball Fruit Farms, and Nicewicz Farm accept SNAP.

HIP

HIP is the state-funded Healthy Incentive Program. The program instantly refunds your SNAP card when you buy fruits and vegetables from approved HIP vendors at the Farmers’ Market.

To use HIP at any farmers’ market:

1. Find an approved HIP vendor. Look for a HIP sign, or ask the market manager.
2. Use your SNAP EBT card to pay for your purchase. You need to have a balance on your card.
3. The vendor will swipe your EBT card for the amount of your purchase.
4. The amount of the purchase will be deducted, then instantly refunded to your card.

Important HIP facts:

• Depending on the size of your family, you can earn an extra $40 to $80 a month for fresh fruits and vegetables through the HIP program.
• Even if you receive less than $40 per month in SNAP benefits, you are still eligible for the full HIP amount for your family size.
• HIP is only available at farmers’ markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and CSAs.
• Unlike SNAP, your HIP benefits do not roll over month to month. To make the most of your benefits, be sure to use your whole HIP balance every calendar month.

Learn more about HIP
The approved HIP vendors at the Arlington Farmers’ Market are Busa Farm, Dick’s Market Garden, Kimball Fruit Farms, and Nicewicz Farm.

Arlington EATS Fresh Bucks

Arlington EATS Fresh Bucks is the SNAP match program at the Arlington Farmers’ Market, sponsored by Arlington EATS. In order to help your SNAP dollars go further and to provide access to more products at the market, we will match SNAP spending (up to $15 weekly) at the Arlington Farmers’ Market with Fresh Bucks vouchers. We will even match your HIP purchase! The vouchers may be used anytime throughout the season.

To get Fresh Bucks at the Arlington Farmers’ Market:

1. Shop with your SNAP card.
2. Bring your receipts to the Arlington EATS table. To reduce trips to the EATS table, we encourage you to bring all of your receipts for the day at one time.
3. Receive your match in Fresh Bucks vouchers, up to $15 per week. Spend $5, get $5 in Fresh Bucks; spend $10, get $10, and so on.
4. Use your vouchers at the Arlington Farmers’ Market any time throughout the season.

Arlington EATS Fresh Bucks are accepted by most vendors at the Arlington Farmers’ Market; they may not be used to purchase alcohol or non-food items. The Fish Lady/Red’s Best Seafood is not accepting Fresh Bucks at this time.

Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

The Arlington Farmers’ Market is an authorized Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) market. Coupons are available for seniors and families through the FMNP, run by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. WIC (Women, Infants and Children’s Nutrition Program) participants are eligible to apply for a $30 coupon booklet, and income-qualified seniors are eligible to apply for a $50 booklet. These coupons may be used to buy vegetables and fruits from any vendor at the market.

You can apply for SNAP online at dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/apply, or call 877-382-2363. SNAP help is available through Project Bread on their website, projectbread.org, or their hotline, 800-645-8333, (over 180 languages available). Here in Arlington, you can call the Council on Aging, 781-316-3400, for help with SNAP. You don’t need to be a senior.

If you have SNAP, you automatically have HIP! You don’t need to do anything: It’s already on your card.

Arlington EATS Fresh Bucks are available each week at the Arlington Farmers’ Market. Visit the Arlington EATS table at the market for your SNAP match.

FMNP coupons for WIC participants are available through the WIC office. To find out more about WIC and to see if you are eligible, visit wicinfo.dph@massmail.state.ma.us or call 800-942-1007.

FMNP coupons for seniors are available in Arlington through the Council on Aging at 781-316-3400 and Minuteman Senior Services at 781-272-7177.

If you don’t have SNAP, or you don’t have a balance on your SNAP card, the brand-new Arlington EATS Market at 117 Broadway is a great place to get fresh produce and other groceries free of charge. The Arlington EATS Market is open to any Arlington resident. Visit arlingtoneats.org or call 339-707-6761 to make an appointment.

If you don’t live in Arlington, call the Project Bread hotline 1-800-645-8333 to find more food resources.

We’re passionate about fresh, healthy food and finding ways to make it accessible to everyone! There is a lot of information to navigate, and it can be overwhelming. We’re always happy to chat at the Farmers’ Market, and yet we recognize that sometimes a more private space is more comfortable. Please feel free to reach out by email jniles@arlingtoneats.org or by phone at 339-707-6757 ext. 1006 to learn more.