State encourages food stamp usage at farmers markets

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) - State officials are working to educate the operators of Indiana's farmers markets about how they can boost their business by attracting food stamp recipients.

State agencies and nonprofit groups are hosting free seminars around the state to educate farmers, vendors and market operators about how local farmers markets can accept electronic food benefits that are available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

State Department of Health public health nutritionist Laura Hormuth tells The Times of Munster Michigan farmers markets had more than $1.5 million in SNAP sales in the most recent fiscal year, while Indiana had only about $30,000 in similar transactions.

She says expanding SNAP's acceptance at Indiana's farmers markets would boost lower-income Hoosiers' access to healthy foods and bring new business to the markets.