Market Bucks Program
The Mercer Island Farmers Market is pleased to help support local families and vendors through our Market Bucks program, which supplies SNAP/EBT cardholders with $30/week to spend at our SNAP-eligible vendors. It is designed to benefit both families experiencing food insecurity and our market vendors who provide the goods that can be purchased with Market Bucks.
In 2023, MIFM experienced an almost five-fold increase in requests for Market Bucks over 2022, disbursing almost $21,000 over the course of the 20 weeks of markets we hosted. In 2025, MIFM again provided over $21,000 of support to 750 families during the 18 week season.
Market Bucks is a non-government supported program, and is funded entirely by sponsors and donors. Click HERE if you'd like to donate toward the Market Bucks program.
What are market bucks?
Market Bucks are a weekly distribution of $30 (six total, $5 Market Bucks) worth of currency for use at the MI Farmers Market for those that are eligible for SNAP/EBT benefits.
How can they be used?
Market Bucks may only be used to purchase items meeting USDA SNAP/EBT guidelines at any booth with a placard that says 'Market Bucks Accepted Here'.
Who can use them?
You or a representative can bring your SNAP/EBT card to the MI Farmers Market information booth to redeem for weekly Market Bucks*.
*Harvest Market excluded
How to get market bucks?
At 9:30am, tickets are distributed to people presenting a current SNAP/EBT card. Return to the Information Booth between 10am-1:30pm to receive $30 in Market Bucks.
Additional Market Bucks Policies:
-
Market Bucks will be distributed over the course of the 18 regular markets in 2026 (Sundays, May 31 - October 4), with $1,800 available each week to distribute to 60 beneficiaries on a first-come, first-serve basis.
-
All Market Bucks expire on October 11, 2026.
-
No additional Market Bucks will be distributed at the October 11th Harvest Market.
-
-
Market Bucks can be redeemed only at designated vendor booths (those displaying a placard indicating eligibility).
-
Market Bucks may only be used to purchase items meeting USDA SNAP/EBT guidelines:
-
Includes: fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, and fish; dairy products; breads and cereals; and seeds and plants that produce food for the household.
-
Not eligible: hot food items, nor can Market Bucks be redeemed for non-food items such as flowers, craft items, decorative plants, gourds, etc.
-
-
Food insecurity and resources
.png)