The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) requests proposals to support Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grantees and their partners with healthy food access strategies at farmers markets in Minnesota. This support aims to help farmers markets increase equitable access to a variety of healthy foods by expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) availability as well as implement incentives that can be used to purchase healthy foods at farmers markets. Healthy options include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and food with less sodium, saturated fats, zero trans-fats, cholesterol and added sugars. To support this effort, we are seeking a contractor with experience and understanding of farmers market management, the process to become a SNAP-authorized retailer through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP EBT implementation at farmers markets, incentives available to be used at farmers markets in Minnesota, and the role that local public health can play in these efforts to provide technical assistance. This project includes the development and facilitation of collaborative learning calls for local SHIP grantees and their partners. These are designed to help grantees effectively implement healthy food access strategies at farmers markets.
