SNAP/EBT & Market Tokens

Did you know that Minnesota was the first state to fund a SNAP Incentive Program, offering matching for low-income families and individuals to shop at farmers markets? Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can use their EBT cards at the Excelsior Farmers Market Information Booth. Market staff will give you $1 market tokens, and we will match your purchase 1:1 up to $10 with market bucks. While SNAP/EBT tokens never expire, our paper market bucks do expire at the end of each season.

The same rules apply when using your SNAP or EBT card at farmers markets that do at any other merchant. SNAP dollars are not eligible for ready-to-eat/prepared foods or non-food items (art, flowers, soap, etc). SNAP tokens and market bucks are valid for produce, meat, eggs, dairy, breads/bakery items, honey, jam, edible plants and packaged foods intended as take-home groceries. Vendors cannot issue change for SNAP tokens or market bucks.

Through the Market Bucks program, EFM is able to match EBT transactions 1:1 up to $10 every day shopped at the market. For the first $10 charged on your SNAP EBT card, you will be given an additional $10 in Market Bucks for free! Market Bucks can be spent the same way (and are subject to the same restrictions) as SNAP EBT tokens. The Market Bucks program is currently run by Hunger Solutions Minnesota.