Beginning this spring, 21 farmers markets throughout Washington State will be fully equipped to accept credit, debit and Electronic Benefits Transfers (EBT Food Stamps) to purchase market goods, including fresh, local farm products.

All Tacoma Farmers Markets were recipients of these point-of-sale machines to make purchasing fresh produce even easier for customers in all income brackets.

This is a Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA) Wireless Technology Pilot Project, which was made possible through the Local Farms-Healthy Kids Initiative, passed by the State Senate and House of Representatives last spring. The final bill provides for $50,000 to be awarded by WSFMA, through Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services, to assist farmers markets in developing the capacity to accept wireless electronic payment cards. Twenty-one rural and urban markets from eastern and western Washington were selected through a competitive grant process to participate in the 2 year program.

Grantee markets will be provided with wireless point of sale terminals from GoMobile Commerce, training and technical assistance, outreach guidance, and necessary supplies and marketing materials. Prior to launching the program, a representative from each market will participate in an all-day training course hosted by WSFMA and GoMobile. Market shoppers will use their cards to purchase tokens which will then be used to buy locally produced goods from individual vendors.

The intent of the pilot is to increase access to fresh, high quality locally grown foods through Washington State farmers markets for all Washington residents. Data collected during this 2 year pilot project on the amounts and number of the various electronic payments will be used to measure tangible benefits to participating markets in the future.

For more information, visit http://www.wafarmersmarkets.com/resources/technologypilotproject.html .