Several farmers markets now accepting EBT

Locally grown food has just gotten more affordable and accessible on Hawai'i Island with eight farmers markets now accepting EBT.

EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) it is what SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps) recipients use to buy food.

In addition to the Hilo Farmers Market and S.P.A.C.E. Farmers Market in Puna, the following markets are now accepting EBT: Maku'u Farmers Market in Puna, Hilo Coffee Mill Farmers Market in Mountain View, Kino'ole Farmers Market in Hilo, Volcano Farmers Market in Volcano and Keauhou Farmers Market in Kona. The Hawi Farmers Market in North Kohala will begin to accept EBT in October.

All of the markets have a central location where they swipe the EBT cards. Then markets use either a food bucks system or a receipt system that the customer redeems with the vendors. The restrictions on what you can and can't purchase with EBT are the same as at the food store—you can buy food items and seeds and plants that produce food, you can't buy hot foods, food that will be eaten at the market or any non-food items.