Examining Barriers to Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) in Farmers Markets: Perspectives from Market Managers

Authors

  • Anne M. Roubal University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Alfonso Morales University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Karen Timberlake University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Ana Martinez-Donate University of Wisconsin-Madison

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2016.063.011

Keywords:

Electronic Benefit Transfer, EBT, Farmers Market, Farmers Market Managers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP

Abstract

Farmers markets are generally considered one of the healthiest places to purchase food. However, less than 1% of food assistance dollars are redeemed at farmers markets. Because farmers markets have operated historically as cash operations, they are still experimenting and struggling to find ways to redeem electronic food share benefits. Much work on electronic benefit transfer (EBT) has focused on barriers from users' perspectives. Farmers markets have often been overlooked during the transition from food stamps to EBT. This paper takes an in-depth look at barriers and facilitators to successful implementation of EBT at farmers markets from the market manager's perspective. The researchers interviewed a semi¬random geographic sample of farmers market managers across Wisconsin (N=13) to determine if and how the electronic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are redeemed at their market and identify factors that impede or aid EBT redemption. Data were analyzed using grounded theory analysis. Several positive and negative themes emerged from the interviews as factors associated with successful EBT programs, including community support, perceived match of EBT with market mission, stable financing, perceived benefit to vendors, and vendor acceptance of EBT. Farmers markets have the potential to reduce food insecurity through EBT redemption. Understanding the main barriers as well as effective strategies for successful implementation of EBT in farmers markets is imperative to realize the full potential of this program. Understanding difficulties from market managers' perspectives is important to inform future policy initiatives to streamline reimbursement at farmers markets.

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Author Biographies

Anne M. Roubal, University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences.

Dr. Roubal is now at the University of Arizona, Center for Population Science and Discovery, Building 200A; Arizona Health Sciences; 1501 North Campbell; Tucson, Arizona 85724 USA; +1-520-626-8747.

Alfonso Morales, University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Urban and Regional Planning; 104 Music Hall, 925 Bascom Mall; Madison, Wisconsin 53706 USA; +1-608-263-4848.

Karen Timberlake, University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute; 610 Walnut Street WARF 575-D; Madison, Wisconsin 53726 USA; +1-608-265-4603.

Ana Martinez-Donate, University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences.

Dr. Martinez-Donate is now at Drexel University School of Public Health; 3215 Market Street; Nesbitt Hall 458; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 USA.

Published

2016-06-20

How to Cite

Roubal, A. M., Morales, A., Timberlake, K., & Martinez-Donate, A. (2016). Examining Barriers to Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) in Farmers Markets: Perspectives from Market Managers. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 6(3), 141–161. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2016.063.011