OKDHS Program Helps Local Growers Provide Clients, Communities With Fresh Produce

OKLAHOMA CITY--The health benefits of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables are certainly well-known. However, some consumers may find it a challenge to either find or afford fresh produce in their community. Fortunately, a program through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is trying to help eliminate those barriers for many of their clients.
Last year, the OKDHS Electronic Benefits Transfer Program became available to local farmers’ markets. The move was designed to encourage Oklahomans participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition and EBT programs to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables using their EBT and debit cards.

The program is becoming more successful as the word gets out. Recently, even the warmest of Oklahoma’s summer months did little to discourage shoppers from buying colorful tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers and even grapes at two farmers’ markets in Midwest City and Tulsa. The farmers’ market season typically runs from June to September.

“This was our first full year. We started last July, in the middle of the season,” said Robert Davis. “We’ve been growing in (the numbers of) vendors and customers.”

Davis is the chairman of the Mid Del Farmers’ Market Association (Link opens in new window) in Midwest City and helps run the local market there.

A Tulsa-area grower agreed with Davis.

“We enjoy getting to know our customers face to face and having that connection,” said Emily Oakley. “You can talk to the person who grew your food and ask questions.”

Oakley and Michael Appel own Three Springs Farms (Link opens in new window) in Oaks, Okla. Three Springs Farms grows certified, organic produce, which is available at the Cherry Street Farmers’ Market in Tulsa.

“Participating in the program is also part of our personal philosophy to make local, fresh and organic food available to everyone,” she added.

Customers swipe their debit or SNAP cards and receive wooden or plastic tokens to be used to make purchases at a local, participating farmers’ market. Growers receive reimbursement when they turn in the tokens at the end of the market.

Items eligible for purchase under EBT include fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, meats, fish, poultry and dairy products and even food-producing seeds and plants. There are no program fees or sales tax for these purchases. Hot foods to be consumed on-site and non-food products are not eligible.

Davis said he’s happy to see his customers get fresh, local products and to know that they’re eating more fruits and vegetables to improve their health. He also pointed out the economic contribution it makes to communities by supporting local vendors.

“I enjoy working with OKDHS clients and seeing they have access to the same fresh produce everyone does,” Davis said. “We would not want to exclude any population and we accept senior nutrition as well.”

Oakley said some people think prices are higher at their local farmers’ market, but the price per pound is cheaper than many major retailers. She explained a head of romaine lettuce at a large grocery store may be $1.50 but romaine lettuce at the farmers’ market is likely to be two to three times bigger, so the price per pound is lower. Plus, the farmers’ market item may be certified organically grown, so customers also receive that benefit as part of the price, she added.

The application process to become an EBT vendor was uncomplicated, Davis said. OKDHS provided all the training necessary to operate the EBT machine. Oakley said understanding the program requirements was easy and didn't require any specialized knowledge on a retailers’ part.

“Absolutely, we would encourage other growers to get involved,” Oakley agreed. “It’s important to make food accessible to a wide range of customers. It can increase vendors’ sales. We’ve seen a huge increase in SNAP and senior nutrition clients. It’s been great.”

“People have a fun time at their local farmers’ markets. You enjoy getting to know that person and talking to the person who grew your food,” Davis said.

He recalled that one client told him that her children never ate vegetables before they visited the farmers’ market. After a recent visit, her children ate half of the cherry tomatoes they’d purchased before they’d even gotten home, Davis laughed.

EBT clients shouldn’t be concerned that the process will be complicated on their end either, Oakley added. Three Springs Farms even calculates the price for EBT customers by taking off the sales tax, to make the process easier. Davis said many farmers’ markets have staff or volunteers to help customers use the EBT machine, he added.

Oakley said at the beginning, some people were skeptical about the EBT program, but the success of the program this season proved them wrong. She believes that continued progress will further open the door so more vendors and customers can participate.

An OKDHS official said the program has been well-received. The project expanded from six markets last year to 18 markets this year.

"They seem to be doing very well," said Leola Anderson, OKDHS Family Support Services Division. "The market in Muskogee has seen its EBT SNAP sales volume increase fourfold."

Anderson said a market in Norman has seen their sales increase as well because of people buying produce under the senior nutrition program, in addition to individuals who have driven seniors to the market and bought produce on their own. A representative of the Norman market has asked an OKDHS official to attend their next meeting to help more growers sign up for the program, she added.

The initiative has also received recognition on a state level. In 2010, the OKDHS Farmers’ Market EBT Partnership won a Governor’s Blue Ribbon Quality Award. The OKDHS Senior Farmers’ Market Project also won a Governor’s Blue Ribbon Award.

Farmers’ markets or growers that are interested in participating in the program may contact Leola Anderson, OKDHS Family Support Services Division, at (405) 521-3445.

###