Novo Dia, a company that processes food assistance benefits at many farmers markets across the country, announced it would closing shop at the end of July. Novo Dia’s software allows SNAP benefits to be accepted electronically by farmers and sellers at many markets. The National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition programs has stepped in to keep the company going another month, but the problem of how to process future electronic food stamps still exists.
Evan Weissman is an assistant professor of food studies in the Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition at Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
Weissman says:
“The impending loss of many farmers’ markets to process SNAP benefits will negatively impact access to fresh produce for many Americans. Additionally, farmers will lose business and farmers’ markets will lose customers. At many farmers’ markets, incentive programs provide additional food dollars to SNAP users, making the loss of SNAP users at farmers’ markets even greater.
“In short, the inability for farmers’ markets to accept SNAP benefits will hurt low-income communities and farmers alike.
“The recent announcement by the Novo Dia Group to stop processing SNAP transactions at farmers’ markets highlights the importance of public investments in key food system infrastructure. The United States Department of Agriculture supports SNAP usage at farmers’ markets by providing hardware but Novo Dia provides processing software.
“Farmers’ markets have seen a dramatic growth in SNAP usage with the ability to accept EBT, indicating a simultaneous expansion of healthful food access for low-income populations and growing markets for farmers.”
“Expanding SNAP usage at farmers’ markets is one of the few areas where we find political agreement in the contemporary United States. On the political left we find support for promoting public health and on the right there is support for market-based approaches that benefit farmers.”
To request interviews or get more information:
Daryl Lovell
Media Relations Manager
Division of Communications and Marketing
T 315.443.1184 M 315.380.0206
dalovell@syr.edu | @DarylLovell
820 Comstock Avenue, Suite 308, Syracuse, NY 13244
news.syr.edu | syracuse.edu
Syracuse University
Scientific breakthroughs aren’t possible without the painstaking process of clinical trials. So what happens when many of those trials leave out large portions of the population? Katherine McDonald, a professor of public health and associate dean of research in the…
On a cool but sunny early October morning on Syracuse University’s South Campus, eight graduate students from the Food Studies program in the Falk College sat in a circle at Pete’s Giving Garden and talked dirt. No, not gossip about…
While corrosion resistance, durability and low cost make plastic a very efficient resource, one of its major drawbacks is the harm it poses to the environment. According to a report from Greenpeace USA, 51 million tons of plastic waste were generated…
The revitalization of the American labor movement and the struggle for racial and economic justice were the central topics of a Lender Center Conversation held Monday, Oct. 24, in Dineen Hall. After introductory remarks from current and former leadership of…
In her work as a therapist, Rachel Johnson ’17, G’19 knew she was making a difference in the lives of her patients. But she also realized her work wasn’t impacting an often overlooked segment of the population when it comes…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
