ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park aims to make local foods accessible to as many people as possible, and therefore the market has taken steps to accept several forms of payment, including SNAP (EBT), Double Up Food Bucks, Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers, and Cass County Local Food Policy Council coupons. The market’s efforts to expand food access is in line with the Cass County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which prioritizes increasing access to affordable, healthy foods.
Through community-based distribution efforts and strong local partnerships, initiatives like Produce in the Park are helping reduce barriers to healthy foods and support healthier eating habits locally. Additionally, while these programs help lower-income community members afford local foods, they also provide additional revenue to Produce in the Park’s farmers market vendors.
SNAP/EBT
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of families in need. SNAP benefits vary depending on the individual or their household’s needs. A SNAP participant may use the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system with their SNAP benefits to purchase food. Produce in the Park is certified as a farmers market to accept SNAP payment for any SNAP-eligible item sold from any market vendor. This arrangement allows every vendor at the farmers market to accept SNAP payments without going through the process to become SNAP certified themselves.
Marketgoers select the SNAP-eligible items they want from a vendor, use their EBT at the Produce in the Park staff table and the market reimburses the vendor for the full purchase price. SNAP eligible products sold at Produce in the Park include produce, eggs, meats, honey, breads, and other baked goods. For more information on SNAP in Iowa, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/assistance-programs/food-assistance/snap.
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
SUN Bucks, or Summer EBT, is a program that provides families with $120 per child in grocery benefits over the summer. SUN Bucks are a way to ensure children can consistently meet their nutritional needs outside of the school year. SUN Bucks work just like SNAP at Produce in the Park; any SUN Bucks-eligible food item can be purchased from any vendor by paying with the SUN Bucks card at the staff table, and vendors are reimbursed in full. The same foods that can be purchased with SNAP can be purchased with SUN Bucks. Households participating in SUN Bucks should note that these benefits are seasonal and expire 122 days after they are issued.
There are two ways children can qualify for the SUN Bucks program: automatic eligibility and application. A child is automatically eligible if: They were in grades K–12 during the 2025–2026 school year, and their school took part in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), OR are 6-16 years old between July 1, 2025, and August 14, 2026. All automatically eligible children must also meet at least one of the following:
● Their household received SNAP or FIP
● Their household received Medicaid at or below 185% of the federal poverty level
● They are in foster care
● They were approved for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals (through an application with their school or because they are homeless, a runaway, or a migrant).
Families can apply for SUN Bucks in Iowa online or by downloading the application PDF and emailing, faxing or mailing it to the relevant location. For more information on SUN Bucks visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/assistance-programs/food-assistance/sun-bucks.
Double Up Food Bucks
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) is a program available to both SNAP and SUN Bucks participants that matches SNAP/SUN Bucks money spent on fresh produce with DUFB, up to $15 per day. Double Up Food Bucks can be used to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds and food-producing items with no spending limit. Both Fareway and Hy-Vee in Atlantic also accept DUFB. DUFB can be spent and earned at all three Atlantic locations, meaning someone purchasing $10 in fresh produce at Hy-Vee who then earns $10 in DUFB could spend that $10 in DUFB at Hy-Vee, Fareway, or Produce in the Park. For more information on how to apply for and use DUFB, visit https://www.iowahealthieststate.com/doubleup.
Farmers Market Nutrition Program for WIC and Seniors
Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers are accepted by FMNP certified vendors at Produce in the Park. FMNP vouchers can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Participants in Women’s, Children and Infants program (WIC) and low-income seniors over age 60 can receive these vouchers. FMNP vouchers can be used all market season at registered farmers markets, including Produce in the Park, and expire October 31.
Participants in the WIC FMNP must be active participants in the Iowa Department’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The local WIC Agencies distribute WIC FMNP benefits from June 1 through September 30. WIC participants should contact their local WIC clinic or office for more information. Seniors applying for FMNP must meet income eligibility guidelines; a senior in a household of one must have annual income below $27,861, and seniors in households of two must have annual income below $37,814. Cass County seniors can apply for Senior FMNP by calling the Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209 extension 8888, and leaving their name, address and phone number. Applications are verified and fact-checked by the agency before being reviewed. For more information on FMNP for WIC families and seniors, visit https://iowaagriculture.gov/senior-wic-fmnp.
Cass County Local Food Policy Coupons
The Cass County Local Food Policy Council is a Cass County Government advisory body charged with promoting a vibrant and diverse local food system that supports the health and well-being of Cass County residents. The council provides farmers market coupons that can be used at all Cass County farmers markets, including Produce in the Park, during the market season. Local food policy council coupons are distributed through local food pantries and other partner organizations when available, and require no applications. The coupons can be spent
on various food products listed on the coupons, including produce, eggs, honey, meat, and baked goods. For more information on the Cass County Local Food Policy Council, visit https://www.casscountyia.gov/county-departments/food-council-policy/.
This list of payments accepted by Produce in the Park is part of the nonprofit farmers market’s never-ending mission to expand access to local food to all people in the community. Produce in the Park complies with all state and federal laws regarding the relevant assistance programs. As information on the programs described above may change, those interested in participating are encouraged to visit the websites listed above for the latest information.
Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening in the Atlantic City Park from 4:30–6:30 PM from June through September. All are welcome, and admission is free. Produce in the Park is able to expand access to fresh food through its many sponsors. Businesses and organizations supporting Produce in the Park as Annual Sponsors for the 2026-2027 season include the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass Health, Atlantic Hy-Vee, Cass County Tourism, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, and the Nishna Valley YMCA.
Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor and sponsor applications for summer markets in the Atlantic City Park. Applications can be completed online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com, and printed copies are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park welcomes vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods and baked goods, crafts, art, decorations, and plants.
For the latest information on all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).
