EBT / Food Stamps
All New Mexicans deserve the opportunity to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers in their community. When food stamps went from paper to electronic in New Mexico in the mid-1990s, a large segment of our population lost the ability to shop at farmers' markets with their food stamp benefits.
By bringing wireless EBT machines into our markets, more individuals and families will have access to the healthiest, best-tasting food available. It also helps support New Mexico growers.
To shop at a farmers' market with your New Mexico Connections EBT card, locate the market's information table where you will swipe your card in exchange for $1 wooden tokens. The food stamp tokens can then be used for the purchase of any food items at that market, with the exception of food meant to be eaten on at market, such as a breakfast burrito. You can use the $1 tokens just like cash, but no change can be given. You can spend the tokens any time at the market where they were purchased, even if it is weeks later.
In New Mexico, the food stamp program is run by the NM Human Services Department. If you think you may qualify for EBT food stamps benefits, please call 1-800-283-4465.
Farmers' markets that currently accept EBT are:
- Pojoaque Valley Farmers' Market
- Santa Fe Farmers' Market
- Silver City Farmers' Market
During the 2008 season, EBT should also be available at these additional market locations:
- Albuquerque Downtown Growers' Market
- Albuquerque Growers Market
- Belen Farmers' Market
- Clovis Farmers' Market
- Espaņola Farmers' Market
- Farmington Farmers' Market
- Socorro Farmers' Market
