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Goals & Responsibilities

Goals & Responsibilities
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NMFMA WIRELESS EBT PROGRAM GOALS & RESPONSIBILITIES The New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association (NMFMA) and the New Mexico Department of Human Services (DHS) are sponsoring the EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) Wireless Program for farmers' markets. The goals of the program are:

  • Increase participation of food assistance recipients at farmers' markets
  • Encourage food assistance recipients to purchase fresh, locally grown produce and other consumable products
  • Increase income for farmers at participating markets
  • Promote and encourage all New Mexicans to visit local farmers' markets

To meet these goals, NMFMA and DHS responsibilities are:
  • Deliver wireless system and contract with merchant service provider
  • Provide wireless machines and other supplies (batteries, tokens, etc.)
  • Coordinate with the processor and bank to set up market accounts
  • Provide market manager training on machine and accounting procedures
  • Develop and provide promotional material for local usage, including signage
  • Work with various groups in each community to help promote and educate
  • Provide handout material for farmer/vendor training

Market Manager Responsibilities
  • Fill out Food Nutrition Service (FNS) application to become an authorized retailer
  • Incorporate language regarding EBT into your market rules
  • Make sure farmers & vendors are trained about eligible food items
  • Take responsibility for wireless machine, including securing and properly storing when not in use
  • Utilize wireless equipment every market day unless there is a problem with the equipment
  • Promptly report any problems or difficulties with the equipment
  • Take responsibility for tokens and accounting procedures
  • Distribute survey forms to customers using the wireless equipment
  • Send monthly electronic reports to Wendy at NMHSD at ruth.chavez-paez@state.nm.us
  • If you voluntarily drop from the program, all wireless equipment, cords, signs, surveys, etc. will be returned to NMFMA within two weeks of notifying NMFMA

Farmer/Vendor Responsibilities
  • Sell only eligible food items when purchased with EBT tokens
  • Turn in paperwork/tokens to market manager for reimbursement

Confidentiality
Information that identifies clients and services is confidential in nature. The market shall not use confidential information for any purpose other than carrying out duties related to the wireless project. The market shall establish and enforce policies to protect the identities of food assistance recipients. The market may be held civilly or criminally liable for improper disclosure.

Basics & Criteria | Goals & Responsibilities | Regulations | Sample Market Day with EBT