At La Codorniz Ranch, we believe that healthy food should be within reach for all families, no matter their income. Expanding the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, including Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), to buy farm-fresh produce is more than a policy adjustment. It can set off a chain of positive impacts. By helping families who rely on assistance programs purchase directly from small farms, we support public health, strengthen farms, and nurture resilient local communities.
Healthier Eating, Healthier Lives
National data suggest that only about 20 to 25 percent of U.S. adults meet the recommended daily fruit intake, and even fewer eat enough vegetables. For SNAP participants, the gap is wider. Only 30 percent report eating fresh fruit daily, compared with 41 percent of non-SNAP households. Vegetable consumption follows a similar pattern, with 49 percent of SNAP participants reporting daily intake compared with 58 percent of non-participants.
Programs that encourage fruit and vegetable purchases have shown meaningful results. For instance, the Healthy Incentives Pilot increased participants’ daily fruit and vegetable intake by roughly a quarter to a third of a cup compared with those not enrolled in the program. Eating more fresh produce not only lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease but can also improve energy, focus, and motivation in everyday life, while reducing healthcare costs over the long term.
Supporting Farmers and Local Economies
Allowing SNAP benefits at farmers markets and farm stands also provides crucial financial support for small farms. Research shows that SNAP spending at farmers markets grew by over 400 percent in a decade and has remained steady even after the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. That money flows directly to local farmers, helping them stay financially stable and continue operating.
Market managers who actively encourage small farm participation often see higher vendor numbers, greater customer turnout, and overall livelier markets. For farms like La Codorniz Ranch, consistent sales through SNAP and EBT can be the difference between staying in business and closing doors.
The Community Domino Effect
When families can use SNAP or EBT at farms, multiple positive outcomes emerge. Families gain access to fresher, healthier foods, which improves health and wellbeing. Farmers gain reliable income that helps sustain small-scale operations. Local communities benefit from stronger economies, healthier residents, and a more resilient food system overall.
These efforts align with USDA modernization initiatives, which aim to expand digital and direct-to-consumer SNAP and EBT options, giving more families access to fresh farm produce online or at nearby markets.
Supporting SNAP and EBT access at small farms is more than a matter of equity—it is a strategic investment in health, local agriculture, and community strength. At La Codorniz Ranch, we are working to make SNAP and EBT accessible through our CSA boxes and farm stand. You can help make this vision a reality by following our journey, spreading the word, and supporting policies and programs that connect families to local farms. Together, we can grow healthier families, stronger farms, and thriving communities.ity for our CSA boxes because we know that when good food is accessible, everyone wins.
References
Investigate Midwest. (2025, April 23). SNAP spending at farmers markets grew 431% over a decade and held steady post-pandemic. https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/04/23/snap-spending-at-farmers-markets-grew-431-over-a-decade-and-held-steady-post-pandemic/
Leung, C. W., Cluggish, S., Villamor, E., Catalano, P. J., & Willett, W. C. (2014). Few changes in food security and dietary intake from SNAP participation: A longitudinal study. Public Health Nutrition, 17(1), 61–69. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013000600
Turner, M. M. (2016). Farmers market managers’ motivations and outcomes: A study of local food systems in the Southeast (Master’s thesis, East Tennessee State University). Digital Commons @ ETSU. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2419
United States Department of Agriculture [USDA]. (2022, August 24). Modernizing SNAP transactions for local farmers. https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/modernizing-snap-transactions-local-farmers
United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service [USDA ERS]. (2025a, February). Peeling open U.S. fruit consumption trends. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2025/february/peeling-open-us-fruit-consumption-trends/
United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service [USDA ERS]. (2025b, July). Strategies for improving SNAP participants’ fruit and vegetable consumption. Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN). https://asphn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Strategies-for-Improving-SNAP-Participants-Fruit-and-Vegetable-Consumption-slides.pdf
