Oklahoma Farm Market Tokens: Stretch that Grocery Budget
Grocery prices deliver a gut-punch with every shopping trip these days. We’re all trying to think of ways to save, whether it’s cooking at home more or changing what we lean on for nutrition. One thing you may not have thought to look into is your local Farmers Markets’ token program! Let’s take a look at what’s available at the Market I frequent. That should give you a good idea of what you can ask about at whatever Market YOU frequent!
***Not sure how to find a Market near you? Take a peek at the last blog and see if it helps!
But first, let’s answer a few basic questions.
What are token programs?
Tokens are a form of acceptable payment at some Farmers Markets. Programs that supply them are often backed by a variety of community organizations, charities, or governmental entities.
How do I know what programs I qualify for?
Each program has its own qualifiers. This article covers the programs at the Markets attended by Petrichor Farm. Read on to find the one that fits you!
Norman Farm Market Token Programs
The Norman Farm Market has a token program for so many of its customers! Even if you don’t think you qualify for anything, you should read this list… last year’s new program may surprise you and help to stretch that grocery budget. 👀
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as “food stamps”) helps enable people to afford food. These tokens are brown.
Who Qualifies: Oklahoma’s requirements include legal citizenship or legal alien status, Social Security numbers, and a household income of no more than 130% of the FPL, dependent on how many people are in your household. Contacting DHS directly is the best way to ensure you qualify.
How to Access:
Visit THIS LINK and follow instructions to apply with the Department of Human Services.
When approved, you’ll pick up a card at your local DHS office.
Visit the Market Office to swipe your card and collect tokens.
Use your SNAP tokens to buy qualifying food items
Eligible Products:
Any food item that is NOT
Pet food
Vitamins
Medicines
Alcohol
Tobacco
Food that will be heated and eaten on-site
Double-Up Oklahoma
Double-Up Oklahoma is a program sponsored by Hunger Free Oklahoma and works to increase the purchasing power of SNAP benefits. These tokens are white.
Who Qualifies: Anyone on SNAP
How to Access:
Go to the information booth at a participating market.
Use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible items or SNAP tokens
Receive $1 in DUO tokens for every $1 spent in SNAP, up to $20/day
Use DUO tokens to buy qualifying fruits and vegetables
Eligible Products:
Fruits that are fresh, frozen, canned, or dried with no added salt, sugar, or fat
Vegetables that are fresh, frozen, canned, or dried with no added salt, sugar, or fat
Fresh herbs
Plants that grow food
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The ONIE Project (Oklahoma Nutrition Information Education Project) is contracted to facilitate the Oklahoma Human Services’ SFMNP which works to help Seniors stretch their grocery budget. These tokens are silver.
Who Qualifies:
Oklahoma Seniors - 60+ (55+ if Native American)
Annual income <185% Federal Poverty Rate
Live within 30 miles of participating market
How to Access: Apply for your pre-loaded card HERE. Accepted applicants will receive their pre-loaded $50 debit card in the mail, along with a map of participating markets. They can take their card to the Farmers Market office to receive their Senior Tokens.
Eligible Products:
Locally grown vegetables
Locally grown fruits
Raw honey
Walk - Bike - Skate Program
This program began in 2024 and rewards anyone capable of coming to the Market without motorized assistance $20 in tokens. There is a limit of one reward per household, per day. These tokens are green.
Who Qualifies: Anyone arriving at the Market on foot or in another self-propelled way (bikes, skates, skateboards, etc…)
How to Access: Visit the Market office when you arrive and let them know your mode of transportation to receive your tokens.
Eligible Products:
Produce
Meat
Dairy
Bread
Jam
Canned Goods
Baked Items
Honey
Food-bearing plants
Seeds for food-bearing plants
Stretch Your Budget with Farmers Market Tokens
It’s not easy trying to thread the needle of living in today’s world. Embracing passion while acknowledging reality is tricky. Just existing is expensive.
Balancing the budget with good nutrition and supporting local farms is like solving an extensive equation that demands way too much time and mental energy. I’m grateful for programs like these that exist so more people can access farm-fresh goods. Come see us in Norman on Saturdays from 8 AM - 1 PM… I can’t wait to redeem your tokens for you!
