VITAL COMMUNITIES
Upper Valley Farmers' Markets
Fresh, Fun & Truly Local!
Upper Valley farmers markets are open for business! Shop local, shop safe, and shop fresh.
Get details on market dates, times, and locations in our Vital Communities Online Guide.
Learn what to expect at farmers markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your shopping choices make a difference for local businesses. Thank you.
Farmers' Markets are Unique
A truly local shopping experience. The vendors are truly local businesses. Most market rules require that vendor booths are staffed by the producer/grower/maker of the products. Meet the person behind the product, hear their story, and learn why their product is unique.
You knew them when…. Farmers’ markets are a perfect venue for new enterprises to meet the public, test their products, build relationships, and grow their dream business. From lettuce to gelato to acupuncture to cupcakes, successful businesses around the Upper Valley have gotten their feet wet at the farmers’ market. Market shoppers get to dive right in with them as they learn, experiment, and grow.
Everything but the kitchen sink. Luckily we have many places to buy from local business owners, and many ways to buy fresh local foods. What sets markets apart is the direct relationship you can have with many vendors in one place whether they sell candles or cabbage or cake.
SNAP at Markets
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. In Vermont, SNAP is also called 3SquaresVT, and many also use the former name ‘food stamps’ as well.
Farmers’ markets around Vermont and New Hampshire accept SNAP benefits via EBT cards. Many of these markets accept debit and credit cards too.
Using a SNAP EBT card at a participating market is fairly easy and may double your shopping dollars. Many Vermont and New Hampshire markets are part of ‘double value coupon’ programs. When SNAP recipients use EBT at these markets, they receive an additional $10 to spend! Our downloadable market schedule indicates which markets accept SNAP EBT and which double benefits.
To use your EBT (or regular debit) card at a market, you will need to visit the booth with the debit card machine. Usually there is a large sign indicating this booth, you can visit NOFA VT’s instructions to see a picture. Swipe your EBT card and enter your PIN, just like you would at any other store. You will receive wooden tokens in $1 increments and a matching amount of Crop Cash (VT) or Granite State Market Match (NH) up to $10 per market day at participating markets.
Use SNAP and double your money at Newport, Claremont, Lebanon, and Wilmot farmers’ markets on the New Hampshire side of the Upper Valley. On the Vermont side, Chelsea, Greater Falls, Hartland, Norwich, Royalton, and Woodstock all accept and double SNAP benefits.
Interested in learning more about SNAP and whether your family might qualify for SNAP benefits? Learn about New Hampshire SNAP here, and Vermont SNAP here.
This project is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Farmers’ Market Promotion Program, agreement AM170100XXXXG127.
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Photo credits: Julia A Reed and Molly Drummond
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