By Scout Nelson
North Dakotans visiting farmers markets this summer will find it easier to locate those that accept SNAP benefits. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has updated its online Local Foods Map, now marking participating markets with a yellow star to help users quickly identify sites that accept EBT cards.
This improvement is aimed at expanding healthy food access, especially in rural areas where fresh produce can be hard to find. "We're seeing a lot more of those farmers markets in rural areas where we have issues with not having enough fresh vegetables in the community," said Keith Knudson, executive director of the North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association.
Although adopting SNAP payment systems has been challenging for some markets, efforts continue to make the process easier. This accessibility is vital for families relying on SNAP to meet their nutritional needs.
An added incentive for SNAP users is the "Double Up" program, which matches every dollar spent on fruits and vegetables. This initiative helps residents stretch their benefits and encourages healthier diets without exhausting their funds quickly.
Doug Goehring, North Dakota's agriculture commissioner, hopes more people will learn about the feature and start using it. "Once they know that, maybe they'll seek them out, and it'll encourage more and more people to consider going down that road," said Goehring.
Agriculture leaders believe this initiative will not only help SNAP users but also boost local economies by attracting more customers to farmers markets. The enhanced map is a step toward creating stronger food systems and healthier communities across the state.
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
Categories: North Dakota, Business