BETHEL — Bethel Farmer’s Market Manager Hannah Court, of Waterford’s Wandering Root Farm, announced that this year the farmers at the popular Saturday morning market will accept SNAP and EBT. The market opens for the season on May 17 on The Parkway.

Last year, Court was the only vendor to accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits.

“It’s a very complicated process,” she had said then. This year, the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) helped simplify the process of accepting SNAP and EBT and has provided ongoing guidance.

Last year, Court said she was excited to host 14 vendors — the market’s largest number ever. This year, that number has grown to 16. She noted there will also be opportunities for guest vendors to participate when full-season vendors are absent.

SNAP/EBT

Customers participating in the SNAP program can use their EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards at the market’s new info booth where customers can ask questions, buy market merchandise and where EBT customers can pay for their products. Their purchases will be matched dollar-for-dollar with Maine Harvest Bucks, which can be redeemed at the market for fruits and vegetables.

“If someone spends $10 in SNAP,” Court explained, “they will get $5 in Maine Harvest Bucks that are redeemable directly with vendors for fruits and vegetables that are fresh, frozen or processed with no sugar, salt, or fat added.”

Other eligible items include fruit and vegetable seedlings, mushrooms, dried apple chips, apple cider and cut culinary herbs.

Court also shared that June 14 and Aug. 2 will be Kid’s Days, with Kate Webb of Bethel Area Arts and Music leading arts-focused programs on site.

On Senior Days — July 12 and Sept. 27 — customers 60 and older get $10 to spend at the market.

The Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 18.