KNOXVILLE — Farmers and farmers markets will soon be able to accept EBT cards (food stamps). The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) and Nourish Knoxville are partnering to make this possible. The two organizations are hosting a free sign-up event for farmers and farmers market managers on Monday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the KCHD auditorium, 140 Dameron Ave.

“This first-time event is a win-win for local farmers and those in the SNAP program,” said KCHD Director Dr. Martha Buchanan. “By helping farmers markets and farmers accept EBT cards, we’re not only increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for SNAP recipients, we’re also helping the local economy by supporting our farmers.”

KCHD and Nourish Knoxville are bringing representatives from MarketLink, the United States Department of Agriculture, and Food and Nutrition Service to conduct this one-day event. Through a federal grant, participating farmers and farmers markets will receive a free iPhone or iPad, card reader, receipt printer, and merchant processing and wireless data plan for a year. The event will also feature tips on how to operate a centralized SNAP token system for farmers market managers.

All East Tennessee farmers and farmers market managers are encouraged to attend. Participants are asked to register for the free event by emailing Katheryne.nix@knoxcounty.org or calling 865-215-5170. On the morning of the event, light refreshments will be provided.

A 2012 study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that providing farmers market vendors with the equipment to accept EBT cards helped significantly increase SNAP usage at the markets. According to the Department of Human Services, 62,999 Knox County residents were SNAP recipients in February 2015, including children, the elderly and disabled, as well as unemployed and working families. KCHD hopes to improve the health of those living and working in Knox County and the region, in part, by increasing access to healthy, affordable foods.