BECOME A FRESH FOR LESS PARTNER SITE

BENEFITS OF FRESH FOR LESS

1. Increased access to fresh, healthy, local food for SNAP recipients in your community

2. Increased attendance and sales at your farmers market/farm.

3. Increased sales/revenue for local farmers and food purveyors.

4. Access to technical assistance and expertise from knowledgeable WWG staff and a wide network of farmers and markets running the program.

5. Access to special pilot projects and services that increase access to your farmers market and assist you in running an excellent market.

6. Promotion of your market/farm, especially for special events.

PARTNER APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Cycles & Timelines

Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG) holds two application cycles each year for new prospective Partner Sites. Our application cycles are as follows:

• Spring: April 1 – 30

• Fall: October 1 – 31

A link to the online application will become available on this page on the first day of the application cycle.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Prerequisites

• SNAP Retailer Authorization: All Partner Sites must attain SNAP Retailer authorization from the USDA before joining the Fresh For Less program. This application accepts new applicants year-round, and most applicants receive a decision within a month of submission. See the bottom of this handout for a step-by-step guide for farmers market applicants.

• Procure/Use EBT Machine: Authorized SNAP retailers are permitted to procure an EBT payment processing machine from an approved third-party provider. It is not necessary that these steps are completed before applying for a partnership, but preference is shown to authorized SNAP retailers who currently accept EBT payment at their site.

It is not necessary that these steps are completed before applying for a partnership, but preference is shown to authorized SNAP retailers who currently accept EBT payment at their site.

PARTNERSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Emphasis on producer-focused / local-sourcing practices

  Multi-vendor markets (farmers markets): WWG prefers producer-only farmers markets, meaning that vendors selling food items are only permitted to sell what they have produced. Markets with food vendor resellers are considered, and reseller policies must be defined and consistently enforced.

  Single vendors or point-of-sale partners (commonly grocers, mobile markers, farmstands, etc.) should prioritize local-sourcing practices for SNAP-eligible goods and, most importantly, produce items.

• Adequate Produce Supply & Variety: Potential partner sites should offer an adequate supply and variety of fresh produce items to ensure that SNAP customers have an opportunity to spend their incentive dollars.

• Demonstrated Need in your Community: Potential partners must demonstrate the need and interest in the Fresh For Less program in their community.

• Organizational Capacity for Program Administration: Potential partners must have the capacity to administer the program, conduct outreach, complete reporting, and fundraise for the annual Program Network Fee.

• General Accessibility: Potential Partner Sites must be open and welcoming to all customers. Access should not require a membership or an entry fee.

• Ability to Pay the Program Network Fee: Fresh For Less Partner Sites must pay an annual Network Fee that grants access to resources and technical assistance from the WWG Fresh for Less team in addition to incentive reimbursements. Partner Sites are assigned a projected budget each year based on an estimate of how many dollars in incentives they will provide during the season, and the annual Network Fee is calculated based on the actual incentive activity for that year, using the following cost-tiered fee structure:

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Below is more information on the typical timeline for prospective and newly accepted Partner Sites: