| | | | | | Maryland Market Money (MMM) x MarketLink: eIncentives Underway for MMM at Farmers Markets in Montgomery County | |
We've been cooking up something exciting with Maryland Market Money (MMM) for the past couple of months, working with the Southern Maryland Agriculture Development Commission (SMADC) thanks to support from the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Electronic incentives (eIncentives) are now available at select farmers markets in Montgomery County.
For those new to the eIncentives development, MarketLink - in partnership with Novo Dia Group (NDG) - has been developing the myMarketLink app and the TotilPay Incentive Management System (TIMS) to support consumers, state programs, farmers, and farmers markets by distributing, redeeming, and tracking incentive programs electronically. The goal of this effort is for beneficiaries of federal nutrition programs (SNAP/EBT, FMNP-WIC & Senior, and eWIC) to use the myMarketLink app to view their balances and redeem their benefits from multiple programs in one location. For farmers and farmers markets, the app provides a contactless transaction using a QR code and an efficient way to manage sales.
As part of the transition to eIncentives, community outreach and on-site support has been key. MMM staff have been helping federal nutrition program participants at the farmers markets with setting up the myMarketLink app on their phones as well as training participating vendors on how to complete transactions with the new app. The app is downloadable through the Google Play store and the Apple store; however a participant must be added to a program such as MMM to utilize it. We’re thrilled and thankful that the pilot has taken off smoothly! The photo above is of Tuckey’s Mountain Grown at the Gaithersburg Casey Farmers Market, who is one of the participating vendors of the eIncentives program.
Interested in learning more about the MyMarketLink app, eIncentives, and the TotilPay Incentive Management System (TIMS)? Click here to view the “Introducing SNAP-EBT Electronic Incentives with MarketLink & Novo Dia Group'' webinar we co-presented with the Farmers Market Coalition earlier this year.
| | | | | | Farmers Market Spotlight: Breadbasket FM | | | | | |
This month’s farmers market spotlight is on Breadbasket Farmers Market from Topeka, Kansas. Breadbasket Farmers Market received their SNAP authorization through MarketLink in 2021. The market has grown to 80 vendors, started an incentive program, and started The Foundation of The Breadbasket Farmers Market to provide donated produce and baked goods to people in need in the Topeka area. Mary Tyler, the market manager, has been educating both customers and vendors on SNAP eligible items in addition to running promotions to increase the community’s awareness of the double up incentive program for SNAP/EBT beneficiaries.
Thank you Mary for providing us with the following testimonial:
“We are the new farmers market in Topeka KS. We are locally grown or crafted only. We do not allow any buying and reselling. Our goal is to serve the community and be a happy family friendly market. I had a very positive experience working with MarketLink. Lisa was very helpful and we were approved very quickly.
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If you want to share your story and testimonial, please send photos and stories to news@marketlink.org or send us an email to schedule an interview. To be featured, please send us the following:
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South Dakota Local Foods Conference (In-Person) November 17-19, 2022 at the Sturgis Community Center
Organized by the Dakota Rural Action,SDSU Extension, and South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, the conference will feature a variety of topics on specialty crop production, market gardening, pasture based systems, regenerative ag, food sovereignty, cooking with local foods, agritourism and more! Event also includes farm tours, local food meals, and vendors.
MarketLink is exhibiting and presenting at the conference this year. Visit our table if you are attending!
Click here to register for the event.
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CT Agricultural Expo 2022 (In-Person) Nov 18, 2022 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, CT
The CT Agricultural Expo will showcase the latest in ag innovation, farm equipment, tractors, farm implements, seed & crop production products, farm supplies & services.
MarketLink is exhibiting at the Expo this year. Visit our table if you are attending!
Click here to learn more about the expo.
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Hawai’i Farmers Union United Annual Convention (In-Person) December 2-3, 2022
Join the Hawai’i Farmers Union at this one-of-a-kind event to connect with local family farmers and supporters across the state. The convention will be a gathering space to discuss regenerative farming on Hawaiian land and to celebrate the importance of aloha ‘āina (“love of the land”). MarketLink is exhibiting at the convention this year. Visit our table if you are attending!
Click here to learn more about the event.
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Women, Food, and Agriculture Network’s 2022 Annual Conference (Virtual) December 2-3, 2022 at the
The WFAN annual conference is “Building a moment for gathering, and cultivating a community of radical land and relational healers.” This year’s theme is Seeding Community: Radical Healing through Cooperative Models.
MarketLink is a proud sponsor of the WFAN 2022 Annual Conference.
Click here to view the program.
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Intertribal Agriculture Council 2022 Annual Conference (In-Person) December 6-8, 2022 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, NV
Join the Intertribal Agriculture Council as they celebrate their 35th year of being the premier organization for farmers, ranchers, and producers. The annual conference is for Tribal leaders, ranchers, farmers, producers, Ag lenders, vendors, youth Ag advocates, and college students. The three-day event will present solutions to collectively address the historical and current challenges facing Indian country agriculture and tribal communities.
MarketLink is exhibiting at the conference this year. Visit our booth if you are attending! Register for the conference here. | | | |
Do you have events you’d like us to share in our newsletter? Send event information to news@marketlink.org. | | | |
Farm Production Manager and Assistant Farm Production Manager Positions with Wanda Farm in Havard, IL
Click here to view available positions. | | | |
Nomination of Young & Beginning Farmers for the EcoFarm Conference
EcoFarm is launching its first annual Freshie Award to recognize the work of beginning and young farmers, as the next generation of leaders working to cultivate just and resilient food systems. The Freshie Award will be presented together with the Sustie and Justie awards in-person at the 43rd annual EcoFarm Conference, January 18-21, 2023. Awardees will be presented with an engraved gourd, travel to Asilomar, and full conference registration with meals and lodging.
EcoFarm is inviting the community to participate through an open nomination process. Open nominations are due by Nov 15.
For more information and for a nomination form, click here. | | | | | |
Food News
Sources on food systems, food access, agriculture, policy, and farmers market that we've been reading, following, and captivated by this month. | | | | | | | | | | MarketLink is a program of the National Association of Farmers Markets Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP). ©2022 MarketLink
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