Farmers Market Vendors Offered Card-Readers to Better Serve Low-Income Consumers

Applications Now Available for Wireless Electronic Benefit Transfer Machines

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania farmers markets and farm stands accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits can now apply to receive one of 145 available wireless electronic benefit transfer (EBT) machines offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture using a federal grant.

"With more than 1.2 million Pennsylvanians at-risk for hunger, the state's agriculture industry is committed to ensuring access to nutritious food for our citizens," said acting Agriculture Secretary George Greig. "Offering these EBT machines to our farmers market vendors makes it even easier for low-income Pennsylvanians to have convenient access to fresh produce."

Applications are available at www.agriculture.state.pa.us by searching "EBT Wireless Terminal Application" or from Heidi Crager at 717-787-4956.

The machines can also be used for credit card purchases, and training will be offered by the company providing the devices.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Card-readers will be distributed until gone. Completed applications can be sent to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Distribution, 2301 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The machines are made available through a federal grant.

SNAP, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, puts healthy food on the tables of more than 40 million Americans each month. Pennsylvania's agriculture department facilitates the national program, in addition to several other food programs, through the Bureau of Food Distribution.

For more information about the state's supplemental food programs, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Jean Kummer, 717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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