Electronic Benefit Transfer cards can now be used to purchase food and produce at the Downtown Farmers Market, according to a news release this week from the Salt Lake Chamber's Downtown Alliance.
EBT cards are cards on which the government transfers money for participants in social programs such as the Horizon Card that the state offers in lieu of food stamps. Recipients can use their cards at the Market Management booth to purchase wooden nickels that can be used to buy food from selected vendors.
The Downtown Alliance received a grant for about $16,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers Market Promotion Program to pilot the program. Grant money will be used to purchase an electronic banking machine, to educate vendors and farmers on the program, and to market the program.
The Downtown Farmers Market opens June 15 and will continue each Saturday through October, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pioneer Park, 300 S. 300 West.