August 7–13 is National Farmers Market Week, and Minneapolis has more than a few reasons to celebrate. Through unique community partnerships, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) has been helping bring more farmers markets to neighborhoods around the city, and empower more farmers markets to accept food assistance funds like EBT (electronic benefits transfer) and WIC (Women Infants and Children).
The Mini Farmers Market project at IATP currently includes 21 markets all around Minneapolis, bringing more fresh food to neighborhoods that often lack access to healthy choices. The number of mini farmers markets that provide fresh, local produce to Minneapolis neighborhoods has more than tripled in the past two years.
his year, as part of a coordinated effort with the City of Minneapolis, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and Hennepin County, IATP helped bring increase access for food support recipients through EBT, or electronic benefits transfer —expanding access to fresh, healthy foods to more communities. Now people can use EBT cards to buy fruits, vegetables and other healthy food at six Minneapolis farmers markets (up from three last year).
The markets currently accepting EBT are:
* Midtown Farmers Market
* Minneapolis Farmers Market
* Northeast Farmers Market
* West Bank Farmers Markets at Augsburg
* West Bank Farmers Markets at Brian Coyle Community Center
* West Broadway Farmers Market