Did you know you can use your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT card to buy fresh, local foods and get additional fruits and vegetables for free? Plus, the Historic Manassas Farmers Market also accepts vouchers from the Senior & WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (S/FMNP), providing even more opportunities to access nutritious produce. Using SNAP, Virginia Fresh Match, and S/FMNP at the market is a great way to stretch your benefits and support local farmers!

Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) doubles the value of SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, mobile markets, and community food stores across Virginia. With VFM, SNAP shoppers can afford more fresh produce, while local farmers earn extra income and more dollars stay in the local economy. The Historic Manassas Farmers Market is proud to participate in VFM, joining over 130 locations statewide in making fresh produce accessible to everyone in our community. Supporting local farmers and promoting a healthy community is at the heart of our mission. Learn more at VirginiaFreshMatch.org.

1. Visit the Market Information tent at the Thursday or Saturday market.
2. Swipe your SNAP EBT card for the amount of SNAP dollars you wish to spend. These “Train Station” SNAP Tokens can be used to buy any SNAP-eligible foods.
3. For every $1 “Train Station” SNAP Token, you get a FREE $1 Virginia Fresh Match Token up to $30 per Market each week. These Virginia Fresh Match tokens can be used to buy ONLY fresh fruits and vegetables, including seeds and plants that produce food.
4. Go shopping! Use your “Train Station” SNAP Tokens and Virginia Fresh Match Tokens to make your purchases directly from vendors around the market.

The Historic Manassas Farmers Market also participates in the Farm Market Fresh program, also known as the Senior & WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (S/FMNP). The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services-Office for Aging Services (DARS-OAS)  issues $50 worth of vouchers to eligible participants to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh-cut herbs from approved vendors at the farmers market from June 1 through November 17, 2024.

Seniors

Anyone who fits the criteria below can apply online or in person at the Farmers Market Information Tent:

• You are 60 years of age or older.
• You are a resident of a locality that participates in the program.
• You do not live in the same household and you are not an immediate family member of the farmer who grows the produce.
• You meet the program’s income requirements. You must certify your household income.

Click here to apply online! 

Click here for video instructions on how to fill out the online application. 

Farmers

Farmers must apply to be authorized to accept S/FMNP checks. If you are approved, you will enter into a Farmer Agreement signed by DARS-OAS. The Agreement authorizes you as a Farmer to accept the S/FMNP checks. The Agricultural Partner’s local representative in your area will work with you in this program and will review your application. 

Interested in becoming an authorized Farm Market Fresh Farmer/Vendor Click here to find out more or contact Matthew Wasikiewicz, Farm Market Fresh Coordinator at (804) 774-9067 or Matthew.wasikiewicz@dars.virginia.gov. 

Applications are accepted until July 15, 2024, and are active for two years.