Transcript Welcome to the EBT/Link Webinar

Welcome to the EBT/Link Webinar
Margaret Larson, Director
Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties,
University of Illinois Extension
“The goal of this training is to provide you with
information and resources to learn how EBT/LINK can
benefit your market and expand access to fresh
healthy food for low-income residents throughout
Illinois.”
Presented December 8, 2010
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Urbana’s Market at the Square
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STRUCTURE
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Machine is leased from Merchant Source
Token system
Service charge to help offset costs
On-site management by Market staff
City’s Finance Dept/Market Director handle
payments & other admin tasks
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PROCEDURE
• Vendors receive packet preseason
• Vendors receive envelope
each week
• Staff works with patrons
• Token redemption at end of
day
• Spreadsheet for internal
recordkeeping
• Checks cut for following
week
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PROMOTION
• Pilot year= very little
promotion
• Word of mouth
• Signage on-site
• Worked casually with
other agencies – Public
Health, Foodbank, etc
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OUTCOMES
• Sold $5,351 in LINK tokens over 27 week
period
• Sold $44,130 in credit/debit tokens over 27
week period
• High patron satisfaction
• High farmer/vendor satisfaction
• Program will continue in 2011
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PLANS FOR 2011
• Overall increase in promotion – WIC grant
• Increase in staff/volunteer presence – City
tent was very busy, staff always occupied
• Bi-lingual outreach materials into agencies,
food pantries, and schools
• Better signage on-site
• Web presence at City site for patron education
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Contact information:
Lisa Bralts, Director
Urbana’s Market at the Square
400 S. Vine Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-384-2319
Fax: 217-384-0200
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.urbanaillinois.us/market
Find us on Facebook – search for
“Urbana’s Market at the Square”
We tweet!
www.twitter.com/urbanamarket
I love penguins.
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Downtown Bloomington Farmers
Market
Learn about LINK Training Materials
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Where To Find LINK Training Information
• Illinois Department of Agriculture website
“Illinois Where Fresh Is”www.illinoiswherefreshis.com
(located in the “Farmers Market Forum” section)
Includes the “Illinois Farmers’ Market LINK GUIDE” and other
resources
• LINK at Illinois Farmers Market Groupsite
http://farmersmarketlink.groupsite.com/main/summary
• Illinois Department of Human Services website
“Accepting LINK at Farmers Markets Federal Application
Process” http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=47207
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Groupsite to Share Information and Resources
URL: http://farmersmarketlink.groupsite.com/main/summary
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Contact for more information
• Elaine Sebald, Market Manager
Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market
[email protected]
• Downtown Bloomington Association:
Phone: 309-829-9599
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Illinois LINK
Leveraging for Success
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Illinois LINK
Leveraging for Success
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Look at all the angles – beyond the food
Know how serves your community
Know all your funding options
Identify potential partners
Provide matching resources
Be prepared
Success breeds success
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Illinois LINK
Identify All the Benefits – Food and More
• Expands SNAP recipients’ access to a wide variety of fresh, local
food products.
• Promotes healthy eating, balanced food choices, and positive
health outcomes for low-income residents.
• Aligns with Michelle Obama’s initiative to combat childhood
obesity, as well as diabetes and other nutrition-related illnesses.
• Creates opportunities for farmers markets, farm stands and other
direct-to-consumer fresh food venues in food deserts and lowincome communities.
• Supports local family farms and rural economies.
• Creates economic stability for farmers markets.
• Creates jobs.
• Strengthens communities.
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Illinois LINK
Know All Your Funding Options
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Community based
State
Federal
Public
Private
Foundations
Individuals
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Chambers of Commerce
Local Businesses
Universities
Hospitals
Insurance Companies
State Agencies – IDHS,
Dept of Ag
• Federal Agencies - USDA
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Illinois LINK
USDA Food and Nutrition Services
Leveraging Partnership to Fund SNAP Outreach
• FNS funding to encourage enrollment in SNAP
• States must match this contribution to utilize the fund,
• or the State can pass on the funds to non-profit organizations
as a 50% match for their investment in SNAP outreach.
• Eligible expenses include: direct mailers, local PSA’s, church
bulletins, NGO newsletters, newspaper advertisements,
articles and OP-Eds, promotion at a community event…
• Assistance (i.e. staff time) with point of contact with clients,
application, pre-screening…
• Contact IDHS for more info.
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Illinois LINK
Success Story
Experimental Station
• Leads Illinois for SNAP redemption at farmers markets.
• 61st Street Farmers Market: Established in 2008 on South Side
of Chicago (food desert).
• 1,000% increase in SNAP sales at 61st Street Farmers Market
from 2008 to 2010.
• 70% of SNAP shoppers surveyed said they increased their fruit
and vegetable consumption since shopping at the Market.
• Implemented Illinois’ first SNAP Double Value Coupon
Program – doubling up to $25 per card holder, per market day
• Oversees six Double Value Coupon Programs
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Illinois LINK
61st Street Farmers Market – SNAP Success
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Illinois LINK
Leveraging Success
Beyond the 61st Street Farmers Market
• City of Chicago Farmers Markets EBT Program
• HB4756 – Farmers Market Technology Improvement Act
• FREE EBT/SNAP Consulting Services
• Overtown Farmers Market – South Miami
• Link Up Illinois
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Illinois LINK
Keys to Successful Leveraging
Have Data
• Demonstrate need
• Demonstrate past success / track record
• Demonstrate potential for program expansion (your
program and beyond)
Have a Plan
• Detailed budget
• Staffing – paid and volunteer
• Matching resources
Have a Goal
• Measurable
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Illinois LINK
Contact Info
Dennis Ryan
Market Manager
61st Street Farmers Market
Experimental Station
773.241.6044
[email protected]
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City of Chicago’s Farmers Market
EBT/LINK Pilot Program
Corey Chatman EBT/LINK
Coordinator for 2010 season
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Implementation of EBT/LINK City of Chicago Markets
• The City of Chicago and Experimental Station join
forces to implement EBT/LINK program at 5 of the 19
City markets.
• Season ran from May 15th to October 21st
• Serviced markets strategically located across the City.
Central, North, South, and West.
• Transactions made with Wireless EBT machine.
• Used “Chit” system to facilitate transactions.
• Issued $5,000 worth of incentives from Wholesome
Wave’s LINK Buck program.
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Challenges and Lessons learned
Chicago has a highly diverse population, yet many
neighborhoods suffer from economic, social, and
racial barriers. Overcoming these challenges takes
good planning…
• Market location.
• Proper signage placement, both in and outside of the
market.
• Community outreach.
• Incentive programs.
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Challenges and Lessons learned - continued
Other challenge to be aware of are the stigma associated with
the Food Stamp Program.
• Many shoppers are self-conscious to use their LINK card at the
market.
• Many markets are leery of enacting an EBT program.
Overcoming these challenges took a combination of …
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Challenges and Lessons learned - Education
• Farmers
– What items can and cannot be sold using LINK.
– “Chit” & LINK Buck processes.
– Reimbursement of purchases.
• Shoppers
– What items can and cannot be purchased with their LINK
card.
– “Chit” & LINK Buck processes.
– Other markets that accept LINK.
– Where to go to apply for a LINK card.
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Challenges and Lessons learned - Sensitivity
• The shoppers need to be accepted as any other
shopper, making them feel welcomed in the market.
• The farmers need for ongoing training and help with
transactions.
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A look at the numbers…
The five markets totaled a $28,944 with 3,537 transactions!
Sales
Transactions
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What's Next?
Due to the tremendous success of the program
for the 2010 season,
Chicago is looking to continue providing LINK
services at it’s Farmers Markets.
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What's Next?
The Experimental Station was the recipient of
the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotions
Program grant for 2010.
• Goal: To aid Farmers Markets throughout the
state establish EBT/LINK programs.
• Established EBT/LINK consultant position that
provides FREE consulting services to Illinois
FM’s.
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Free, Free, Free!
As a FREE resource to Farmers Markets, FM managers, and
Market stands in Illinois, we are able to provide the following.
• Guidance on application Process for applying for LINK.
• Training Workshops.
• Assist with capacity assessment for establishing a
SNAP/EBT/LINK program at your market.
• Identifying resources, developing ideas, and
establishing best practices to help create and/or
enhance your SNAP/EBT program.
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For help with bringing EBT/LINK to your
market contact…
Corey Chatman
SNAP/EBT Consultant
Email [email protected]
(o) 773-241-6044
(cell) 773-896-4450
Experimental Station
6100 S. Blackstone
Chicago Il 60637
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Purpose/Results of recent EBT Survey
• Understand how current markets are operating
Link/Credit/Debit transactions
• Identify an IL Farmers Market revenue base from EBT
transactions
• Share informational data with other farmers markets
• Discover new ways to generate funding for this
program
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2010 Range of Link Market Sales to Date
25%
$362.00-$1,367.00
100%
50%
$1,565.00-$2,630.00
$2,700.00-$3895.00
$4,247.00-$13,000.00
75%
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EBT Survey Results
Table 1. EBT/Link Administration
Mean
Lo
Hi
Number of EBT/Link Vendors
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3
60
Number of Link Transactions
325
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1470
One-time Start-up Costs
$ 677.00 $1*
$ 1,500.00
Average Monthly Costs
(service fees, mailing costs, etc.)
$ 149.00 0*
$
800.00
n=17
60% of Markets reported the 1st week to be the busiest week of the month
*Grant supported
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Results, cont.
Table 2. Link Sales to Date
2009
Market Day Average
Average Market Sales to Date
IL Total Sales
2010
*
$
173.00
$ 1,181.00 $ 3,216.00
$ 10,717.00 $ 54,665.00
n=17
Incentives: Double value coupons
*Data was not availble
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Results, cont.
If your market offers multiple food assistance programs (Link, FMNP, WIC), have
you encountered any farmers and/or shopper confusion?
"Many farmers' who have Link eligible products, but not FMNP/WIC eligible products automatically think
they can accept the FMNP/WIC coupons because they can accept Link tokens. Sometimes shoppers try to
buy non-produce items with FMNP/WIC coupons because they see the signs indicating that the farmer
accepts Link benefits."
"Patron confusion re: who accepts FMNP coupons (City or farmer?)"
"Vendors just mixed up the programs"
"FMNP, Farmers/vendors accept coupons and are not signed up for program. Shoppers not always clear
on what theycan buy with coupons ans shoppers confuse the market with an actual store."
"A few vendors have accepted WIC coupons that were not authorized"
"We have confusion with FMNP coupons. Farmers forget they can't accept them if not pre-approved.
Customers get frustrated because not all farmers accept them."
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Results, cont.
If your market offers multiple food assistance programs (Link, FMNP, WIC), have
you encountered any farmers and/or shopper confusion?
"Many farmers' who have Link eligible products, but not FMNP/WIC eligible products automatically think
they can accept the FMNP/WIC coupons because they can accept Link tokens. Sometimes shoppers try to
buy non-produce items with FMNP/WIC coupons because they see the signs indicating that the farmer
accepts Link benefits."
"Patron confusion re: who accepts FMNP coupons (City or farmer?)"
"Vendors just mixed up the programs"
"FMNP, Farmers/vendors accept coupons and are not signed up for program. Shoppers not always clear
on what theycan buy with coupons ans shoppers confuse the market with an actual store."
"A few vendors have accepted WIC coupons that were not authorized"
"We have confusion with FMNP coupons. Farmers forget they can't accept them if not pre-approved.
Customers get frustrated because not all farmers accept them."
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Best Practices Shared
Please share with us any Best Practices you feel would help others implement the
EBT/Link program in the future. And, if you have additional thoughts regarding
EBT/Credit/Debit transactions, please let us know.
When a Link transaction occurs at a grocery store, most consumers would not notice because a Link card
looks identical to a credit or debit card. However, when using a Link card at the market the consumer must
come to a special window and then receive "tokens" as their means of currency. Next, they must hand
these tokens to a vendor in exhange for the product. Therefore, it is more noticeable at the market when
someone is utilizing Link benefits than it is in a grocery store. This is something that concerns me. I know
that many markets alleviate this problem by having tokens for credit/debit users, so that Link users are not
as distinguishable, however, we do not want to handle consumer cash at our market.
We are not, at this time, planning to raise vendor fees to cover the cost of credit/debit/LINK at the Market.
The Market is, instead, using its own funds to pay for the program, in addition to transaction fees passed
along to Market patrons. This amount, now $1.00, may be increased for the 2011 season. We've been
swamped with transactions at our Market. We would benefit a great deal from having a staff member of
volunteer to manage this aspect of the Market, as current staff is barely handling the volume plus other
tasks.
The farmers market is not assessing any fees for this program, for the link or for the credit/debit program
to either the customers of the vendors. We are using general market funds to finance this.
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Results, cont.
Please share with us any Best Practices you feel would help others implement the
EBT/Link program in the future. And, if you have additional thoughts regarding
EBT/Credit/Debit transactions, please let us know.
We are absorbing operating fees into the market's general expense. We do not believe that it is cost
effective to allocate fees back to the individual farmer/vendor.
We found housing the EBT Machine and acting as the first contact for EBT users is working best. Growth is
significant over the last month. Keeping scripts on hand at the Information Tent and distributing them to
EBT users upon arrival, making it easier for everyone, and is working well. Like anything new, our
volunteers were nervous about helping but once they see the simplified process, they have become
enthusiastic. EBT users seem very pleased to have the option and word is spreading quickly throughout
schools and senior residences. While it has taken longer for usage, we are seeing more and more usage
with each market. Very exciting!
1. Before implementing Link, make sure your market has the demand and can handle the costs and staffing
needs 2. Establish as many partnerships as possible in the community -- with potential funders,
organizations that work with potential recipients (e.g., food pantries), and groups that can help with
volunteers (e.g., social justice organizations) 3. Make sure vendors understand the program and what is
expected of them. Also make sure they appreciate how it will benefit them by bringing in sales they might
not otherwise have made. 4. Determine how your market is going to promote the program and attract
Link customers -- this has been much harder than we expected, and we are still not happy with our results.
5. Celebrate and publicize your successes!
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Contact for more information:
• Sylvia Smith, Ph.D., CHE Food and Nutrition
Professor, Southern Illinois University
Carbondale
MC 4317, Quigley Hall Rm 209B
Carbondale, IL 62901
• Phone: 618/536-7567
• Email: [email protected]
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Upcoming Training
Opportunities
2011 Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic
Conference
 Jan. 5-7, 2011, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center,
Springfield, IL
 To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor
information, contact Diane Handley at 309/557-2107
or [email protected]
 Registration form can be printed from the website listed
below for emailing, mailing or faxing to ISGA
 Agenda and Registration information, check out
www.specialtygrowers.org
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Special Pre-Conference Workshop January 5, 2010
“EXPANDING FARMERS MARKET OPPORTUNITIES”
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Learn How To Grow Community Services and Advocate for Farmers Market -Stacy
Miller, Ex. Director, Farmers Market Coalition (invited)
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/
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Learn new Marketing Changes and Innovations - Lisa Bralts, Director -Market on
the Square, City of Urbana (Facilitator for panel presentation)
www.urbanaillinois.us/market. www.market-at-the-square.blogspot.com
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Learn how local food systems are impacting local food and farmers markets across
the state, Delayne Reeves, Marketing Representative Illinois Department of
Agriculture, Bureau of Marketing and Promotions (Facilitator for panel
presentation)
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To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor information, contact Diane
Handley at 309/557-2107 or [email protected]
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2011 Regional Farmers Market
Forum Meetings
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!
Plan to attend one in your area:
 Chicago
February 16, 2011
 Springfield
March 1, 2011
 Mt. Vernon
March 3, 2011
 Dekalb
March 9, 2011
More details will be distributed through IDOA’s blast
email list in early 2011 49
Check out these Resources
• 2012 Illinois Specialty Crop Grant Program
 USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
 COMING SOON! – Request For Proposals Information
 http://www.agr.state.il.us/Grants/specialtycrops.html
• IDOA’s websites
 www.illinoiswherefreshis.com
 Farmers Market Forum - http://www.agr.state.il.us/farmersmarket/
• USDA’s website
 Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food
 http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWY
OURFARMER
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Contact for more Information:
Delayne Reeves, Marketing Representative
Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Marketing
and Promotions
Phone: 217/524-9129 Fax 217/524-5960
Email: [email protected]
• Pat Stieren, Coordinator, IL Farmers Market
Network,
Phone: 217/522-4274
Email: [email protected]
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