Idaho Farmer's Market Association - Denise Dixon

Buy Idaho's staff recently had a chance to sit down with Denise Dixon, Executive Director of IFMA, in anticipation of kicking off the summer Market season. She brought an issue to light that many of us don't, but should, concern ourselves with. Farming is obviously a massive industry in Idaho that affects us all on a daily basis. The farmers markets are an integral part of how many folks get their groceries each week. This helps local small farmers and our community stay in touch.

But did you know roughly only a third of our markets in Idaho accept EBT services? Let's put more dollars in the hands of our farmers and more fresh produce in the bellies of all Idahoans!

Here is a message from Denise about what we can do to help:

"At this point we have 45 farmers markets in the state of Idaho and we are growing. I am working with three new markets this month. As we grow it is important that we provide fresh produce to all of our citizens, but especially to our most vulnerable population, those that are EBT recipients. We only have 15 markets that are presently set up to provide EBT services. When you go to your local farmers market, ask if they accept EBT, if they don;t encourage them to do so. This also provides an additional income for our farmers. Our farmers are one of our most valuable resources and they deserve to make a living wage. Spread the work and help us grow. "