2021 Season Kicks off this weekend; Market will now be accepting SNAP, WIC, Credit Cards, and other alternative payment options.
TIFFIN, OHIO – May 12, 2021 – The 2021 season of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market kicks off this Saturday, May 15th 9am-1pm. The market will occur on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from May until October and is located on South Washington Street between Perry and Market streets. A special season kick-off ceremony will be held at 12pm in front of the Justice Center.
This year, the market is launching new programs to make fresh food more accessible for all local residents. SNAP/EBT cards, WIC Farmers Market Vouchers, Senior Farmers Market Vouchers, and regular credit cards will all now be accepted at the market through the brand new Market Bank program. Also available this year is Produce Perks, a fruit and vegetable incentive program that provides a $25 match on SNAP/EBT and P-EBT purchases. This means that any amount spent with SNAP/EBT or P-EBT, up to $25, will be matched dollar for dollar. Customers wishing to use their SNAP/EBT funds or credit cards can expect to visit the Market Bank to redeem tokens to shop the market.
Hallie Williams said, “fresh, local food should be available to everyone and that accessibility should not cost those who work so hard to produce these foods. As a market, we are proud to provide the oversight and management needed to offer these programs as they not only will help improve the health and wellness of our community, but also support our local food economy.” Williams is an OSU Extension Agent for Seneca county and a Seneca County Common Ground Board member who developed the Market Bank program.
Kathy Oliver, Director of the Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services, is excited to hear that the SNAP benefit card will be able to be used at our local farm markets this season. “It is a chance for families to purchase fresh, healthy, local farm produce to feed their families. We are looking forward to it!”
These new programs would not have been possible without a grant from the Tiffin Community Foundation, the hard work of Mrs. Williams at OSU Extension, the vision of the Seneca County Common Ground Board and of course, the willingness of the vendors to participate. Seneca County Common Ground would like to thank Sutton Bank for once again supporting the community as the Market Sponsor in 2021. Without their support, the market would not see the success that it has so far.
The season kickoff ceremony at noon will feature local elected officials, community partners and words from board members of Seneca County Common Ground. Community members are encouraged to attend. It will also be livestreamed on Facebook.
To learn more about the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and specifically about the Market Bank, visit and subscribe at www.tiffinsenecafarmersmarket.com/. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or have questions, you may contact the Farmer Market Manager, Kirsten Ameling, at manager@sccommonground.org.
Created in 2019, Seneca County Common Ground (SCCG) is a new organization whose mission is to strengthen Seneca County's local food system through collaboration to improve the overall health and growth of our community, and a vision of a vibrant, accessible and sustainable local food system in Seneca County that supports the health of residents, businesses and institutions. The board of the organization includes Seneca County OSU Extension Agent Hallie Williams, Reverend Aaron Gerlach of Old Trinity Episcopal Church, local business owner and chair of the Downtown Retailers Committee Dave Spridgeon, local business leader Dale Depew, TSEP Development Manager Audrey Flood, and local food vendors Kristy Buskirk of Clay Hill Farms and John Riehm of Riehm Produce Farm. SCCG oversees the operations of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and supports other local food initiatives including the Tiffin Community Kitchen Project. Find out more at sccommonground.org or find Seneca County Common Ground on Facebook.
About the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. Read more at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program .