Tokens and Food Assistance

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market provides a variety of cash alternatives for the full diversity of market shoppers to have adequate access to local food and artisan products at the market. 

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market accepts several food assistance programs to increase access to fresh, local, and nutritious food, including: 

• SNAP/EBT
• Double Up Food Bucks
• Prescription for Health
• Senior Project Fresh
• WIC Produce Connection

Market tokens for credit, debit, mobile pay, SNAP/EBT, and Double Up Food Bucks can be purchased at our market office trailer.

Why do you have the $5 credit card tokens? 

Some vendors are unable to process credit cards at their business. Tokens allow customers without cash to patronize these vendors. Some vendors and customers also prefer the speed of paying with tokens vs. electronic payment. The benefit to customers is the ease of access: no need to seek out an ATM or provide a check to vendors for payment. The benefit to vendors is a payment option for customers that does not result in processing fees to the vendors (as would be the case if the vendor processed credit cards directly from their stall).

How do I purchase tokens?

The tokens can be purchased with a debit or credit card in the Market Office. Credit card tokens are sold in $5 token format with a minimum purchase of $20 for each transaction.  These tokens are the same as cash, meaning if the customer spends a non-$5 increment with a vendor, they will receive cash change on their purchase.

Do the tokens expire?

The $5 tokens do not expire and can be used on any market day.Do all vendors accept the tokens?

As of 2024, most of our vendors accept the tokens except for Roos Roast, Shetler Family Farm, Donahee Farms, Hey Honey, and Vogue Booge. The vendors will tell you if they do not accept the tokens.

I don’t want to purchase the tokens. Is there an ATM nearby?

There is an ATM outside of Kerrytown Shops by the Sweetwaters Café.

How do I use my Bridge Card at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market?

Head to the market office (located in the parking lot off 4th Avenue), where you can swipe your EBT card on any market day to receive $1 green wooden tokens to use for shopping in the market. The Double Up Food Bucks program will match, dollar for by, the amount taken off your Bridge Card up to $20. 

What can I buy with SNAP/EBT tokens?

These tokens can be used for almost anything edible at the market except for non-food items (e.g., jewelry) and hot, ready-to-eat foods like a tamale or hot coffee. You can spend them on things like meat, cheese, bread, produce, honey, coffee beans, etc. Fruit, vegetable and herb seedlings are also eligible for purchase, as are food seeds.

When/Where can I use my SNAP tokens?

The wooden EBT tokens can be used year round at this market. Ann Arbor Farmers Market tokens can only be used at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. SNAP tokens from other farmers markets cannot be spent at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

Only vendors who sell these eligible foods can accept Bridge Card Tokens. Vendors should display token signage indicating which token types they accept. 

Can I get change using my SNAP tokens?

The vendors cannot give change for these tokens. So if your purchase does not come out to a whole dollar amount, you need to work with the vendor to determine how to pay. Any violation of these parameters by even one vendor can result in the entire market losing its privilege to process SNAP benefits.

How do I apply for a Bridge Card?

You can apply for a Bridge card and other food assistance programs through MI Bridges.

What is Prescription for Health?

Prescription for Health (PFH) is a county-level program that connects patients to their local farmers markets though their medical clinics. Health care providers refer their patients to the Prescription for Health program by writing "prescriptions", in the form of a referral, for their patients to eat more fruits and vegetables. Upon enrollment in the program, the participant gets tokens in their enrollment packet and is able to spend those on fruits and vegetables at their local farmers market. Participants also work with Community Health Workers to set health goals.

How can I use Prescription for Health at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market?

Once you enroll in Prescription for Health, you will receive an enrollment packet that includes $100 in paper tokens. These paper tokens can be spent at any stall that offers locally grown fruits and vegetables. Vendors cannot give change for the tokens.

Can I use Prescription for Health at other locations?

Visit the Prescription for Health website to view participating farmers markets. 

How does the Senior Project Fresh Program work?

The Senior Project Fresh program is aimed at helping older adults eat healthier as they age. The program provides participants free nutrition education and $25 in benefits that can be exchanged for fresh fruits, vegetables, and honey sold at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. The program runs from May 1 to October 31 each year.

Who is eligible for Senior Project Fresh?

Eligibility criteria for older adults

• Residents who are aged 60 or older with a total household income of $28,952.50 or less for an individual, or $39,127.50 for a couple, are eligible to apply for the program. 
• Every eligible household member may apply. Income eligibility is determined by yearly gross household income. Household is defined as “a group of related or nonrelated individuals who are living together as one economic unit”.  An economic unit is a group of people who share an address and pool their income and expenses to meet their needs.
• Residents who are aged 55 or older who belong to a Michigan federally recognized tribe or urban tribal group are also eligible.
• Benefits must be obtained in the county in which the applicant lives.

Eligibility criteria for farmers

•  Grow and sell local produce (vegetables, fruit, cut herbs, mushrooms and honey)
•  Sell at a roadside stand or farmer’s market

What can I buy through Senior Project Fresh?

Senior Project Fresh benefits can only be used to buy eligible locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables for human consumption from Authorized Growers. Honey may also be purchased using senior Project Fresh benefits. Visit here for a list of eligible items.

Are there any growers at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market authorized to take Senior Project Fresh?

As of August 2025, there are three growers at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market who are authorized to take Senior Project Fresh. Visit the market office (located in the parking lot off Fourth Avenue) for more information.

What is WIC Produce Connection?

WIC Produce Connection helps to provide healthy and nutritious produce to Michigan WIC clients, while fostering economic development by promoting our state's diverse agricultural products. The program provides low-income, nutritionally-at-risk WIC clients with eligible, locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from Authorized Growers at farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan.

How does the WIC Produce Connection Program work?

Eligible WIC clients, excluding infants, may receive benefits on their WIC EBT card to be used June 1 through November 30. Additionally, WIC Clients may use their WIC Cash Value Benefits (CVB) for fruits and vegetables at an Authorized Grower.

What can I buy through WIC Produce Connection?

WIC Produce Connection benefits can only be used to buy eligible locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables for human consumption from Authorized Growers. 

Are there any growers at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market authorized to take WIC Produce Connection?

As of August 2025, there is one grower at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market who are authorized to take WIC Produce Connection. Visit the market office (located in the parking lot off Fourth Avenue) for more information.