Another NC farmers market to accept food stamps

REIDSVILLE, N.C. — The Rockingham County Farmers Market is the latest in North Carolina to begin accepting electronic benefits transfer cards, traditionally known as food stamps.

The News & Record of Greensboro reported that the Rockingham County market will begin accepting EBTs in May. Other farmers markets in the state also accept the cards.

The market is able to accept the new payment form because of Leaflight, a nonprofit organization that tries to link farmers with the needy.

Shoppers will swipe their EBT cards and receive tokens worth one dollar each to buy fruits and vegetables. Farmers then redeem the
tokens with the market manager.

Officials say the new system will also allow customers to use debit and credit cards.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)