The Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank on Feb. 1 will begin a 2-for-1 promotion for the Eat Better Today (EBT) Farmers’ Market program, which will allow qualified recipients to buy twice as much food for each dollar spent on their EBT card.
Sasha Figueira, the EBT coordinator for the local food bank, said the Kaua‘i County Council recently approved funds to offer the 2-for-1 promotion for EBT shoppers.
When a customer purchases EBT tokens at one of the participating farmers markets on the island, they will also receive a $1 coupon for each dollar spent on their EBT card. There is a limit of up to $5 a day at each market.
Figueira stated in a news release that the 2-for-1 promotion will be available while funding lasts.
Started on Sept. 3, the EBT Farmers’ Market Program allows EBT customers to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, eggs and other eligible food items from market vendors at select markets on the island.
Participating markets include the Kaua‘i Community Market at Kaua‘i Community College, which is open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, and the Koloa, Lihu‘e and Kapa‘a Sunshine Markets.
The Koloa market operates from noon until 2 p.m. on Mondays at Anne Knudsen Park.
The Kapa‘a market operates from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays at Kapa‘a New Town Park across from the Kapa‘a Armory.
The Lihu‘e market operates from 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays at the Vidinha Stadium parking lot.
Funding for the one-year pilot EBT program was provided by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank for the three sunshine markets, and a Get Fit Kaua‘i Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant for the KCC market.
Figueira said since the program started, EBT sales at all four markets have been close to $11,000, with 43 percent of EBT shoppers saying they had never been to the farmers markets until the EBT program became available.
Figueira said more than 100 vendors from the four markets are registered to accept EBT tokens, including one roadside vendor who accepts the EBT cards on Wednesdays during the same period as the Kapa‘a market is in operation.
Vendors who are interested in becoming an authorized vendor for EBT at one of the four markets, or for more information, email Figueira at sfigueira@kauaifoodbank.org, or call 246-3809, ext. 100.
The Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank has served the Kaua‘i community since 1994.
It is the only food bank in the state accredited with the Better Business Bureau, earning the Hawai‘i BBB Torch Award for Public Charities for Community, Trust, Performance and Integrity.
For more information about how to help or about how to obtain help, email food@hawaiilink.net, or call 246-3809.
