Before you gather any information, please complete our Eligiblity Assessment to determine if you are eligible for the grant. Here are some general information needed for the Eligibility Assessment: 

• Working Email Address and phone number – this is how the MarketLink team will contact you 
• Basic information about you farm or farmers market, including: name, location of farm/market, mailing address, website and/or social media handles 
• If your farm or market is already authorized to accept SNAP with the USDA, its a good idea to locate your SNAP Retailer Permit and FNS number (if you need help locating this, contact us and we can help you out) 
• If your business is not yet authorized to accept SNAP with the USDA, see the section below for general requirements. 

The requirements for the USDA SNAP Retailer Application can depend on how your business is structured. However, in general, these are the most common requirements:  

1. Information about your farm or market:

a. Date the business opened under the current ownership or intended opening date if it is a new farm or market. 

b. Your business’ official name (the name you use on legal documents, such as leases, contracts, incorporation documents, etc.), mailing address, and address where the market is conducted (if different from the mailing address). 

c. Actual sales data from your business’ most recent IRS business tax return, if it has been open under current ownership longer than one year. If not, an estimate of the market’s annual sales. 

d. Your business’ operating schedule (i.e., months of the year it is open, days of the week it is open, and hours of day it is open). 

2. Identify a Responsible Official(s) and have their name, home address, social security number, and date of birth handy.

This person/people will need to provide their social security number and identification cards. Responsible officials may be an owner, corporate officer, board member, market manager, or person operating in a position of authority that can sign legal documents on behalf of the farm or market. You may have more than one Responsible Official; if there is more than one listed these documents are required for every person listed. 

Note: Farmers’ Markets applying as a government agency, 501c3 nonprofit organization, or a publicly owned corporation are exempt from providing their social security number. 

3. Collect all the following documents for each responsible officer(s) and scan them or take a photo of them so that you have electronic versions: 

a. Color copy of Valid Photo ID (such as a License or Passport) for all person(s) listed on the application (front and back if license is used) 

b. Copy of Social Security Number Card for all person(s) listed on the application. (see exemptions above). 

c. If you are applying as a nonprofit, a copy of the 501c3 determination letter from the IRS. 

d. IF your city or state requires you to operate with a  Business License, then you MUST also submit a copy(ies) – if not, then you can skip this documentation. 

Note: Our Regional Representatives can complete the FNS application on your behalf and securely transmit your documents. If you’re interested in this option, fill out our Eligibility Assessment and you will get an automated email with instructions on how to set up an appointment. If you’ve already filled out the Eligibility Assessment, email info@marketlink.org to set up an appointment. 

To complete the Novo Dia Group application to receive your grant funded one year subscription to Totilpay Go and free bluetooth card reader equipment you will need: 

• Your MarketLink approval number – the number you should receive when you apply for the MarketLink grant, sent in an automated email 
• Your FNS number and a copy your SNAP Retailer Permit. If you need help locating this, contact us at info@marketlink.org.
• Basic information about your farm or market: name, address, mailing address, business structure, and contact information. 
• Banking information from the account you would like the SNAP transactions to be deposited into: Bank name, routing number, account number, and a voided check. 

Your next step is to apply to become a “SNAP Authorized Retailer” with the USDA. Once approved, your business will receive a “SNAP Permit”, and an active “FNS number”, which is required to accept SNAP in-person and online.  The MarketLink team provides free technical assistance with the SNAP Retailer Application. Here’s how we can help:  

Option A: Submit the application on your own using our Direct Marketing Farmer SNAP Retailer Application Guide.  

1. Download our SNAP Retailer Application Guide (see below). The guide includes a direct link to the application website and walks you through the entire process step by step. If you get stuck at any point, reach out to us at our contact information below for assistance. 
2. If you complete the application without any questions, then let us know when your application gets approved. We will send you further instructions for both the “SNAP Equipment” and “SNAP Online” grants.  

Option B: One of our Regional Representatives can fill out the application on your behalf over the phone, and guide you through the whole process.  You can prepare for your technical consultation with us by:

1. Reviewing the SNAP Retailer Application Guide to understand what you will need to prepare for the meeting. Use the buttons below to download the appropriate guide for your business type.
2. Completing the Eligibility Assessment to allow a Regional Representative to help you get started. 

Fill out the TotilPay Go Merchant Application to set up your SNAP merchant account and arrange shipment of the SNAP card reader from our equipment providers, Novo Dia Group. Completing your merchant application will process the following shipment and subscription:  

• Bluetooth SNAP card reader 
• One-year subscription to the TotilPay Go app 
• Printed receipt waiver 

Important information to know before signing up: 

• Your grant funded year starts as soon as you sign up for TotilPay Go and they send you a “Welcome Email”, not when you activate your account. Wait to fill out the form until you’re officially ready to get started. 
• The TotilPay Go app is a 1 to 1 system, meaning the app can only be activated on one device at a time. It is possible to switch devices using extra steps, but be sure to download and activate the app on the device you’re going to use to accept SNAP/EBT. 
• The TotilPay Go app is only for basic transactions and does not include an inventory system. 

Once you are ready to start accepting SNAP, prepare the following documents and information to complete the Merchant Application:  

• MarketLink approval number
• FNS number – a 7 digit code assigned to your farm when you applied to accept SNAP. You can find this on your SNAP Authorized Retailer Permit or by calling the SNAP Retailer Service Center at 1-877-823-4369. 
• A copy of your SNAP Authorized Retailer Permit – a document you should have received upon SNAP Authorization. If you need help locating this, or don’t have one, let us know.
• Your business’ mailing address. We highly recommend that you do not ship it to a PO Box since FedEx only ships to a direct address. If a PO Box is your only mailing address, TotilPay will ship through USPS and it will take longer to arrive.
• Banking information for the account you want SNAP payments to be deposited into.

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Lastly, this is a good time to determine if you want to integrate your Square account with your Totilpay account. First, review how integration works with Totilpay Go before signing up for a Square account. Then follow the TotilPay Go instructions on how to link your two accounts together.  

Once you’re approved for SNAP with the USDA, and have your TotilPay Go account set up, it’s time to start getting the word out about your new SNAP program. A successful outreach program can make a big difference in attracting new customers and helping to make sure you get the most out of your free year. Below are some resources we’ve collected that can help your SNAP program be a success. 

Directories & Research

• List your farm or farmers market on the MarketLink Participating Vendors Map by filling out this form.  
• List your farm or farmers market on the USDA Local Food Directory .
• Research on who your target customers are through the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities State-by-State Fact Sheets.
• Visit the Farmers Market Coalition’s State Specific Guide for information specifc to your area.

Resources For Farmers Markets

• Farmers Market Coalition’s SNAP Guide for Outreach, Promotion, and Partnerships 
• Farmers Market Coalition’s guide for Funding your SNAP/EBT Program 
• Wholesome Wave’s Seven Steps to Success 
• USDA’s Guide for Attracting SNAP Customers to your Farmers Market 

FMNP and WIC 

If your business is already accepting SNAP, it’s likely you would also be eligible to accept The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Both programs are great companion programs to SNAP, and help further provide vital food access to your communities. To sign up, contact your state’s local Health and Human Services office and/or local WIC office. Please see the links below for more information. 

• USDA’s Senior FMNP Information Page 
• USDA’s WIC Information Page 

Consider joining NAFMNP to network with voting and associate members who are implementing local and regional SNAP, WIC, FMNP, and SFMNP programs. Visit their website to learn more. 

Matching Programs 

A matching or incentive program can also be a great partner program for SNAP, and attract even more customers to your business. To learn more, follow the links below.  

• Farmers Market Legal ToolKit Guide for Incentives and Matching Programs 
• Nutrition Incentive Hub