Use your SNAP benefits to grow a garden

SNAP recipients can use their food assistance benefits to purchase food-producing seeds and plants to grow their own food to expand their food purchasing power.

As summer approaches, so does the thought of eating delicious homegrown produce. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients can maximize their produce purchasing power when they use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy food-producing plants and seeds to grow a garden of their favorite fruits and vegetables. Regardless if you are a beginning gardener or seasoned gardener, there are excellent resources, instructions and recipes from Michigan State University Extension, other state Extension services and the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The SNAP-Ed Connection website offers nutrition education materials including gardening resources and a seasonal produce guide. There is a helpful toolkit for SNAP participants that contains information pertaining to buying plants and seeds from an authorized SNAP retailer. To take the guess work out of finding authorized SNAP retailers, there is a SNAP Retailer locator. Additionally, nationwide there are local farmers markets that are authorized SNAP markets accepting EBT benefits. Use the USDA National Farmers’ Market Directory to find a market convenient for you that sells food producing seeds and plants. Navigate the directory by selecting the payment accepted button then select the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) button.

To better serve SNAP recipients needing language translation, the SNAPgarden.org website has a translator feature at the bottom of the page which utilizes Google translate.

If you are unfamiliar with the SNAP food assistance program and income eligibility guidelines, you can contact your state SNAP office. Many states have online enrollment.

SNAP recipients across the nation have also enrolled in the SNAP-Education (SNAP-Ed) nutrition education programs, which support and educate individuals and families how to effectively use their food assistance benefits to purchase, prepare and serve healthy, budget-friendly food at home. MSU Extension offers two food and nutrition programs for families and individuals. The MSU Extension SNAP-Ed program and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) are designed to reduce hunger and food insecurity and encourage healthy eating habits. Supportive nutrition education helps participants to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes that empower positive health behaviors.

SNAP benefits provide essential monthly funds for purchasing not only food but also seeds and plants to grow your own fresh vegetables and fruits. Spread the word, learn about SNAP benefits and SNAP-Ed to help others reap the harvest of a SNAP garden.

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