SNAP/HIP

We accept SNAP/EBT at the Brookline Farmers’ Market!

There are two ways to use your SNAP/EBT card at our market:

1) Use your SNAP card to get HIP (Healthy Incentives Program)

  • Pay with your SNAP/EBT card directly at these 4 farms to receive the HIP benefit:

    Dick’s Market Garden - Stillman’s Farm - Kimball Fruit Farm - Nicewicz Farms

  • These 4 farms are our only vendors who accept HIP

  • What is HIP?

    • HIP stands for Healthy Incentives Program. It is a state run program that gives SNAP card holders extra money for fresh produce.

      • If you have a SNAP/EBT card you automatically have HIP. Use your SNAP card to spend your HIP money.

      • HIP money can only be used at farm vendors selling fresh produce. Not all farms have the machines to accept it, but many do.

      • You get $40 of HIP money each month.

      • HIP does not affect your normal SNAP balance. It does not transfer to the next month.

      • HIP works by replacing your SNAP money as you spend it. It is replaced immediately, up to the amount of $40.

      • For an example of how HIP works at our market, scroll to the bottom of this page.

2) Use your SNAP card to get tokens

  • Use our SNAP tokens to spend your SNAP/EBT money at any vendor who cannot accept your SNAP card directly.

    * This would be any vendor not selling produce. So if you want jam, bread, fish, meat, pasta, cheese, etc, this is for you. *

  • All of our food vendors accept SNAP tokens

  • You will not receive the HIP benefit when you use tokens

  • Our SNAP tokens are only redeemable at the Brookline Farmers’ Market. They can’t be used at other markets.

  • Tokens are worth $2 each. No change is provided for tokens.

  • To get tokens, visit the green Market Info tent at the front.

  • The market staff will charge your SNAP card for the amount you want to spend and will give you that same amount in SNAP tokens.

  • We cannot refund you for your SNAP tokens - but don’t worry, our tokens do not expire. They are good for the whole season!


PLEASE NOTE

  • SNAP/EBT and HIP are both run by the DTA (Department of Transitional Assistance).

  • Our SNAP Token System is run by the Brookline Farmers’ Market.

  • To get your HIP benefits you must use your SNAP/EBT card DIRECTLY at the 4 participating farms. You will not receive the HIP benefit when you use our SNAP tokens.

  • Our market staff and vendors CANNOT help you with questions about your SNAP/EBT accounts or cards.

  • For any problems with your SNAP/EBT cards please call the Department of Transitional Assistance at 1-877-382-2363


Example of how HIP works at our market:

You have $50 in your SNAP balance. A HIP vendor charges you $10 in SNAP for tomatoes and strawberries. HIP applies $10 toward your purchase. Your receipt will show that your SNAP balance is still $50 and that you have used $10 of HIP toward your monthly amount.


SNAP/EBT Benefits Outside of the Farmers Market

  • There are many attractions, theatres, museums, and more all around Massachusetts that offer a significant discount to SNAP/EBT cardholders. Check out this link to the “EBT Card to Culture” page of the mass.gov for a complete list of all the participating organizations:

EBT CARD TO CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS

More Questions about HIP or SNAP?

Please call Project Bread, 1-800-645-8333. Hotline is available in multiple languages Monday- Friday 8 AM-7PM and Saturday 10AM-2PM.

For more information please visit these links:

SNAP FAQ
HIP FAQ