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Frequently asked questions
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) serve related but distinct roles in helping people access fresh, healthy food.
SNAP:
What it is: SNAP is a federal assistance program (also known as EBT, or food stamps) run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It provides eligible low-income individuals and families with funds to purchase food through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used at grocery stores, some farmers markets, and other participating vendors.
Primary Purpose: To reduce food insecurity by supplementing the food budgets of those in need, so they can purchase food to prepare at home.
Scope: Nationwide, supporting millions of Americans.
Virginia Fresh Match (VFM):
What it is: VFM is a network and program in Virginia designed to work with SNAP. Locations that offer the VFM program match the value of SNAP dollars spent at participating farmers markets and grocery stores, doubling the amount SNAP recipients can spend on fruits and vegetables.
Primary Purpose: To increase access to nutritious, local foods for SNAP customers while supporting local farmers and markets.
Scope: Focused on Virginia, and specific to fruits and vegetables, particularly at farmers markets and select retail locations.
In summary, SNAP provides broad food assistance nationwide, while VFM enhances SNAP by making fresh produce more affordable in Virginia, encouraging nutritious eating, supporting local agriculture, and keeping SNAP dollars in the local economy.
Any food for the household, such as:
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Breads and cereals
Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat
VFM eligible products:
Fruits and vegetables, i.e., “any variety of fresh or frozen, whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, or oils, and salt.”
Fresh mushrooms and herbs
Food-producing seeds/seedlings (not ornamentals)
Products that are NOT VFM eligible include, but are not limited to:
Fruits and vegetables that are dried, milled, pressed, juiced, or canned, even if there are no additional additives.
Dried herbs and mushrooms
When you arrive at your local VFM farmers market, check in with a staff member or volunteer at the Market Information tent. There, you will be able to swipe your SNAP/EBT card, and receive tokens that you can spend like cash with food and plant vendors. You will get DOUBLE the dollars you spend from your SNAP card to spend on eligible items. For example, if you choose to spend $10 of SNAP, you will get an EXTRA $10 in VFM tokens, for FREE, to spend on fruits, vegetables, and edible plants. In total, you would have $20 to spend.
Some markets limit the amount of dollars you can match per visit. Ask your local farmers market for more information.
If you didn't spend all of your SNAP tokens at one market, never fear! You can use tokens at any time, they never expire.
If you still want to return your tokens and put that money back on your SNAP card, visit the Market Information Tent to request a refund.
Here are the guidelines:
The SNAP currency being returned must be issued from the market where the refund is being requested.
The refund can only be requested on the same day the original purchase of SNAP currency was made.
The requested refund can only be for an amount equal to, or less than, the original purchase.
You cannot return tokens for cash.
You cannot return doubled tokens for additional SNAP/EBT dollars. For example, if you spent $10 of SNAP and received an extra $10 in doubled tokens ($20 to spend total), you could not return all of those tokens to put $20 on your SNAP card.
These rules apply because the return must be completed on the same point-of-sale device as the original purchase was made, and the return must be completed in the same “batch” as the purchase transaction. These are common rules of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) processing companies, and markets must adhere to them.