Is Your Market Low-Income Friendly?

Feb 17, 2015

MFFM is offering a new workshop about increasing low-income access at your farmers’ market. Thanks to a grant from the Sunshine Hill Family Fund, the cost to register is just $10, which includes all materials and lunch. We’ll be offering the workshop in Bangor March 2nd and again in Brunswick March 4th. Learn more about WIC, gleaning, and EBT programs at farmers’ markets.

If your market is wondering whether to take on EBT in 2015, this program will help you think through the pros and cons. Find out about wireless equipment options to process SNAP payments (as well as credit/debit) There will also be representatives from the USDA on site to help with applications for FNS numbers (the first step necessary to start accepting EBT). If your market has a new EBT program that you hope will grow, or if you’re interested in increasing WIC usage or in starting a gleaning program, there will be information for you as well. Email for more information or to register via email, or Register Online.

Get your farm or farmers’ market authorized for SNAP (formerly food stamps) and receive you FNS Number the very same day! USDA staff will be on site to walk you through the process and assist with your application. If you intend to get an FNS number at the workshop, please bring copies of the following documents (required for the application):

Picture ID (driver’s license or passport)
Social Security Card (or other official document with your name and SSN)
Copy of voided check for bank account you will use to deposit funds.

Source:umaine.edu

Video: U.S.-China Trade “Truce” + U.S. Fed Cuts Rates Again

The market was hoping for a US-China trade deal, but we got a trade “truce” for now from the keenly awaited Trump-Xi meeting at the APEC Summit.
China commits to minimum purchase commitments of 12 MMT of U.S. soybeans during the “current season” and a minimum of 25 MMT annually through 2028.
U.S. Treasury Sec Bessent said other Asian countries have agreed to buy additional 19 MMT of US soybean.
Soybean futures trading above $11 now- they normally tend to rally to $12.
As expected, US Fed cuts interest rates by -0.25% again in October to 3.75%–4.00%. No further cuts promised for this year but trade looking out to the Dec FOMC.
The Bank of Canada cut interest rates to 2.25% but raised concern over trade war damage.
Soy meal futures, remarkably, have had 14 consecutive higher close sessions. A bull market in soybeans is a bull market in soy meal!
Cattle futures lower as funds unwind out of cattle for now due to Trump headlines and objective to lower beef prices.
All major stock indices climb to new record highs. It was Mag 7 reporting week, which had mixed results. But we now have the first $5 trillion company in Nvidia!