The Gila County Department of Health and Emergency Management’s SNAP-Ed program (Gila SNAP-Ed), in coordination with its subcontractor Pinnacle Prevention, approached the Payson farmer’s market managers in FFY16 to encourage certification as a SNAP EBT retailer. The site was already one of the highest redeeming WIC and FMNP markets in the state, suggesting readiness to expand EBT offerings. With Gila SNAP-Ed’s technical assistance in guiding the market managers through the application process and connecting them to a grant for free EBT equipment, the market was able to launch their seasonal hours in June, 2016, accepting SNAP, with a redemption total in FFY16 of $1,551.
Integrated efforts pairing PSE activities with indirect and direct education may have also been good for business: by the close of the season, the market had experienced a 16% average daily sales increase. Future efforts will include implementing the Double Up Bucks AZ program, which will allow shoppers to redeem up to $10 in extra purchasing dollars when using SNAP at the market.
“Pinnacle Prevention staff...offered SNAP customers assistance in utilizing SNAP at the market and nutrition education associated with seasonal produce offerings. Technical assistance also included the development of communications and promotional materials that aligned with nutrition education. “
