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| You are here: Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 06/12/14 People's Open Market expands SNAP/EBT access | ||||
| June 12, 2014 Contact: Jesse Broder Van Dyke, 768-6928 People's Open Market expands SNAP/EBT access Honolulu – The City and County of Honolulu's People's Open Market (POM) are accepting SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / Electronic Benefit Transfer) as a method of payment at selected sites on Oahu. This change will allow SNAP/EBT program participants to conveniently purchase low-cost fresh, locally grown produce using their EBT cards at POM sites located in Waipahu District Park, Wahiawâ District Park, Ewa Beach Community Park, and Kaumuali'i Street. Department of Parks and Recreation personnel and city officials, including Councilmember Breene Harimoto, who introduced the resolution calling for the new SNAP/EBT system, hosted a launch celebration earlier today at the Waipahu District Park POM. The event featured giveaways, refreshments, entertainment, and a cooking demonstration. "The People's Open Market provides residents and visitors with access to fresh, local fruits and vegetables at an affordable price," said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. "Making it easier for people participating in SNAP/EBT to use their benefits at the market further expands this access to low-cost, nutritious, locally grown produce for 55,000 families in need while supporting Oahu farmers." Certain POM vendors have accepted SNAP/EBT in the past, but this will be the first time that the market will centrally process EBT transactions, making the process easier for vendors and customers alike. The time spent processing individual transactions led vendors to not participate in SNAP and discouraged potential customers from buying affordable, nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables. Similar systems have been successfully implemented at other local farmer's markets. "This new approach to processing EBT benefits at our People's Open Markets now makes it even easier for low-income families to purchase a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables right in their own neighborhoods," Councilmember Harimoto noted. "I commend the Department of Parks & Recreation for working collaboratively with state agencies and our health-oriented partners to implement this important program." For more information, please visit: honolulu.gov/parks/dprpom. SNAP/EBT customers can now purchase their fresh produce at the following POM locations: Waipahu District Park Wahiawa District Park Ewa Beach Community Park Kaumualii Street -END- |
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