Farmers Markets Become Key Weapon in Combating Food Deserts

Rachel Cernansky reports on the federal government's recently announced plan to expand access to healthy foods by increasing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) acceptance at America's farmers markets.

1 minute read

May 10, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


According to Cernasky, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is putting its money where its mouth is, by funding the expansion of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or "food stamp" acceptance at farmers markets across the country.

"Expanding SNAP at farmers markets is part of the agency's broader approach to increasing healthy food access for low-income communities that lack adequate grocery stores and public transportation - areas known (if sometimes controversially so) as food deserts," notes Cernasky.

The initiative seeks to expand and build on successes gained in just the past four years as SNAP spending at farmers markets increased by 400 percent -- "and that's with less than a quarter of the country's 7,000 markets participating in the program."

"'Twenty years ago or more, people thought this was something for the elite. Clearly that's not the case, and the expansion of farmers markets with EBT has really proven that,' [USDA deputy secretary Kathleen] Merrigan added. And she's optimistic that more time spent at these markets can lead to other healthy lifestyle shifts as well. 'Hopefully some of those people are going to farmers markets on their bikes and walking,' she said."

Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Grist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

45 minutes ago - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business