The Dane Coun­ty Farm­ers’ Mar­ket is proud to par­tic­i­pate in the EBT/​FoodShare pro­gram. Good nutri­tion is impor­tant for all of us, regard­less of age, income lev­el, or cir­cum­stance, and local­ly-grown and raised prod­ucts should be acces­si­ble for all.

 
 

What is FoodShare?

FoodShare is Wisconsin’s administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal program formerly known as food stamps. FoodShare participants have a Quest card, also known as an EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer) that works similarly to a debit card. The farmers’ market has a machine at the Info Booth that can do an EBT transaction.

Wisconsin QUEST card

How does it work?

1. Take your Quest or P-EBT card to the Info Booth and ask to do an EBT transaction. The market has an EBT card reader where you will swipe your card and enter your PIN.

2. Decide how much you want to withdraw from your account, and the market staff will give you market dollars in exchange. Market dollars don’t expire, and benefits can be returned to your card if you don’t intend on using them.

3. During Double Dollars season (begins June 1 2024), you will receive a dollar-for-dollar match on your benefits up to $20 per market day.

4. Use market dollars at any DCFM vendor that sells SNAP eligible products. Double dollars can only be spent on fruits and vegetables (see more information below)

EBT Service Hours

The Info Booth for the Saturday Market is on the top of State St. and is open from 7am to 1pm. Look for the green tent! The Info Booth for the Wednesday Market is across from the entrance to the Madison Municipal Building and is open from 8:30am to 1pm. In addition, EBT services are available at both Winter Markets.

What can I buy with the market dollars?

You can spend your market dollars at any vendor’s booth selling bakery, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, edible plant seedlings, pickles, jams, and more. Market dollars cannot be used to buy nonfood items (like flowers or wreaths) or hot foods (like those served at food carts).

How do I get FoodShare Benefits?

If you don’t have FoodShare benefits but think you may qualify, you can apply online at https://access.wisconsin.gov/. For FoodShare application assistance, call 877-FOOD-365 (877-366-3635), or visit GetAQuestCard.org.

Senior/WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

The WIC (Women Infant and Children) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs offer one-time food benefits to eligible participants each year. Each eligible participant receives checks that are redeemed at local farmers' markets June through October on fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh cut herbs. This program is separate from Foodshare, and checks can be redeemed directly at eligible vendors. Not all vendors at the DCFM accept FMNP checks. Vendors that accept FMNP checks will have a yellow sign displayed at their market stall. For more information on Senior and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition program click here.


FMNP Sign

Double Dollars starts June 1st, 2024!

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Madison Area Farmers’ Market Double Dollars is a program for SNAP/FoodShare users. The program offers a dollar for dollar match for all SNAP transactions up to $20 per market day.

In order to receive Double Dollars, SNAP/FoodShare users bring their Quest EBT card to the farmers’ market EBT or information booth. The shopper decides how much they would like to withdraw from their account, then receives market money and Double Dollars that are each worth $1. Every shopper gets a dollar-for-dollar match up to $20, doubling what they withdraw.

Beginning April 13th, 2024, Double Dollars can only be spent on fruits and vegetables. The following will be defined as fruits & vegetables and may be purchased using Double Dollars:

  • Any variety of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, or oils, and salt (i.e., sodium)
  • Edible seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds), fresh herbs, traditional subsistence fruits and vegetables, or wild edible and medicinal plants.
  • Beans, mushrooms, peas, and lentils.
  • Plant starts.
The following will not be defined as fruits & vegetables and may not be purchased using Double Dollars:
  • Meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, and foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Peanuts or hazel nuts.
  • Seasonings, sauces and preserves, such as pickles and jams

DCFM market money will still be eligible for all SNAP/EBT items including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, and packaged prepared food and beverages.

Market money and Double Dollars cannot be used to buy nonfood items (like flowers or wreaths) or hot foods (like those served at food carts).

For a list of participating farmers’ markets, or for more information, please check out Community Action Coalition’s website.

How can I find out more?

For more information, please contact our DCFM staff at info@dcfm.org or call our main line 608-455-1999

For questions on Double Dollars you can visit https://www.cacscw.org/services/food-security/double-dollars/