Fundraising for SNAP/Maine Harvest Bucks

Fundraising is essential to the overall sustainability of a SNAP/EBT program at your market. While MFFM pursues funds at the state and national level, markets can call on local businesses, churches, and civic organizations to support their SNAP/EBT program. It is generally easier and less competitive

Raffle at Houlton Community Market with goodies from all the vendors.

to raise funds at the local level for nutrition incentive programs, and your market will be further building community connections and support for low-income food access.  Read on for inspiration and ideas to start fundraising for your program, and let us know what works for your market!

We recommend starting off by reading through a fundraising guide recently put together for MFFM by Shelley Latham, a development and fundraising consultant in Maine.

Also, for more inspiration and talking points about farmers’ markets, take a look at MFFM’s 2017 annual report. Page 6 & 7 contain great data points about farmers’ markets in Maine.

Small markets

More than half of the farmers’ markets participating in MHB need $1500 or less for the entire season to fund their incentive. For these markets, fundraising may be as simple as:

  • Start a fundraiser on your FB page
  • Ask friends, family, regular shoppers, local stores, a church, local nonprofits;
  • Dine out to donate: engage the restaurant community; these are often win-wins when restaurants donate 5-25% of net sales to your cause.
  • Contact town or city officials, request funding;
  • Raffle products or gift baskets at your market
  • Request donations for the program on your shopping sheets
  • Host a fundraiser at your market!
  • Share your plans with MFFM! We’ll happily promote it.

Larger markets

  • See above small market tactics

    The Portland Farmers’ Market has a “Friends of the Market” program to raise funds for the market’s SNAP/MHB program.
  • Reach out to local banks regarding possible sponsorship
  • Connect with local hospitals, community health clinics, doctors and dentist offices

Use these resources!

Wholesome Wave Fundraising Ideas List

10 Ways to Fund Your SNAP/EBT Program- FMC

Market sponsor signs (Fundraising method from the Bucksport Bay FM)

Steep Falls FM had a BBQ fundraiser in October 2018 to raise funds for the market’s MHB program.