If there is one image that epitomizes summer in Missoula, it has to be the picturesque stalls of the farmer's market overflowing with local produce and Missoula community members, and beginning this July more Missoula residents will be able to access this festive Missoula institution.

This summer folks will once again be able use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to buy local food. This exciting program came together because of a collaboration of multiple organizations.  The Missoula Farmer's Market, the Clark Fork River Market, Missoula Food Bank, The Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC), Creative Catering, United Way of Missoula County, and Big Sky Commerce all worked together to provide this array of benefits to the Missoula community.  It is a win-win situation for everyone!

When shoppers use their EBT cards at farmer's markets, small family farmers receive federal dollars at their stands. Additionally low-income shoppers have access to fresh local produce, and our local economy benefits as the multiplier effect shows that EBT dollars spent at least double in circulation.

At the Missoula Farmer's Market, EBT card holders will bring their cards to the CFAC table near the white United Way Building, next to the west entrance of the market.  Here the cards will be electronically swiped and the shopper will receive their chosen amount of dollars in tokens, which can then be exchanged at the stalls of participating vendors.

The Clark Fork River Market is in its third season offering this program.  This summer, both markets have added the benefit of credit and debit cards.  People can receive market tokens from credit, debit or EBT cards.

The use of EBT cards at farmer's markets is part of a nation-wide trend. The EBT card program is part of a group of programs initiated by the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC) and Missoula Food Bank, which aim to reform the local food system so that all community members have access to healthy local foods.