Many of Baltimore City’s farmers markets are located in or near the city’s food deserts, and provide fresh, local produce to many of Baltimore’s residents. In order to ensure that these farmers’ markets can continue to operate and low-income community members can access and afford these local foods, BFPI is working to address policy barriers related to the acceptance of Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs at farmers’ markets. Currently 7 out of 20 of the city’s farmers markets receive SNAP benefits and over 192,000 Baltimore residents receive SNAP benefits each month.
Find your closest farmers market today!
Read the latest Maryland Market Money brochure in English
Read the latest Maryland Market Money brochure in Spanish
Removing Barriers to Farmers Markets
In collaboration with Maryland Farmers Market Association, BFPI provides technical support to 20 Baltimore City farmers markets, including:
- Increased the number of farmers markets in Baltimore City that accept SNAP benefits from 3 to 7 markets, and SNAP sales increased 45% from 2010-2011
- Developed a Baltimore City Farmers’ Market Permit Guide which provides information on required health and zoning permits for new or existing farmers markets
- Developed a guide to accepting federal nutrition assistance benefits at farmers’ markets in Maryland
- Supporting the Baltimore City Farmers’ Market Manager Coalition whose goal is to provide technical assistance for farmers’ market managers, including trainings for 50 farmers market vendors on accepting SNAP at Baltimore Farmers’ Market, and conducting SNAP outreach in Baltimore City
Additional Farmers’ Market Manager Resources
Starting a new Farmers market in Maryland
Maryland Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Website
Join Market Share, a free resource from MarketUmbrella.org
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets: A How-To Handbook
Real food, real choice: Connecting SNAP recipients with Farmers markets
USDA Agriculture Marketing Services –Farmers Market Website
Community Food Project Evaluation Handbook and the Community Food Project Evaluation Toolkit:
Information About Accepting Federal Nutrition Benefits at Your Market
SNAP (formerly known as food stamps)