Ep 115. Bonus Episode - Amy Crone on Using MarketLink to Accept SNAP at the Farmers Market

What is MarketLink and how can you use it to leverage your farm’s profitability and help your community at the same time? Joining us for this special bonus episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast is Amy Crone, Project Manager of MarketLink. MarketLink is a program of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Program (NAFMNP). In partnership with the USDA and Novo Dia Group, MarketLink assists direct marketing farmers and farmers markets with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Retailer Application and connects them with free app-based SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) processing equipment (TotilPayGo). Marketlink also offers options for integrated credit/debit payment processing. They have a long-term vision of sustainability for farmers and markets through a broader customer base, increased sales, and profitability. Tune in for in-depth detail regarding a great way for your farm to get more local food into your communities!   You’ll hear: What MarketLink does 1:39 Who qualifies for this program 3:03 How a farmer or farmers market should go about getting set up with the program 6:12 The most commonly asked questions about MarketLink, and Amy’s answers to them 7:48 What the typical consumer asks about the SNAP program 9:34 What type of sales a typical farmers market sees through SNAP 12:04 The best practices in setting up the program to get buy in from customers 14:20 What things you should be aware of when starting up with this program 16:25   About the Guest: Amy Crone is the Project Manager for MarketLink, a national initiative developed in collaboration with USDA to increase acceptance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at farmers markets. MarketLink, a program of NAFMNP, is the only app-based means of accepting SNAP available, & since its start in 2013 has enabled sales of more than $43m in SNAP and more than $95m nationwide in overall electronic sales by farmers markets and direct marketing farmers. Formerly, she was the Executive Director of the Maryland Farmers Market Association (“MDFMA”), a nonprofit organization that she founded in 2012. Crone is a nationally recognized expert on federal nutrition assistance programs, who has experience in speaking to a variety of audiences across the country about farmers market and agricultural issues. She lives on a small farm in Maryland with her husband and two children.   Resources:MarketLink Website - https://www.marketlink.org/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mymarketlink Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mymarketlink