Spend your Summer EBT at GrowNYC Greenmarket and Farmstand locations!

July 17, 2024
Posted in Greenmarket

Spend your Summer EBT at GrowNYC Greenmarket and Farmstand locations! 🍅🍉

Beginning in July 2024, New York State (NYS) will launch Summer EBT, a new program that provides low-income families with food benefits to help buy groceries during the summer when school children might not have access to school meals.

Can you use your Summer EBT benefits at GrowNYC Greenmarkets or Farmstand locations?

YES! Summer EBT benefits can be used just like SNAP benefits to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers. Eligible families can use  Summer EBT at their neighborhood GrowNYC Greenmarket and Farmstand locations. What’s more, you can double your money! Spend $2 in SNAP-EBT and Summer EBT, get a bonus $2 Health Buck to spend on fruits and vegetables, up to $10 per day.

Who is eligible to receive this benefit? 

Families currently receiving SNAP will automatically be enrolled in the Summer EBT program. The majority of recipients will be auto-enrolled based on their SNAP and free meal eligibility. For families not auto-enrolled but with qualifying children, a letter with instructions on how to receive benefits will be sent directly to them.

What if you do not receive a letter but think your child/student qualifies?

Some students who are not automatically eligible may be able to receive Summer EBT food benefits by completing an application. Please note that in order to be eligible to apply through this application, the student must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), AND the household's income must be at or below the limits for eligibility for free/reduced-price school meals.

Families will only need to complete one application for all students in the household, which a parent or guardian should complete. 

How much of the benefit will be distributed? 

In 2024, each eligible child will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits over a three-month period. There is a 122-day window to utilize all Summer EBT benefits. All unused benefits are removed from the card after this time. Be sure to use your benefits as soon as possible after you receive them.

Where will the benefit be sent to? 

All Summer EBT funds will be put onto the previously issued Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) card unless a new card is requested through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website. You can request a new card through the OTDA website, which is also the place to go if you need to replace a lost or stolen card. Families that have not previously received P-EBT can also request newly issued cards through this site.

When will I receive my Summer EBT?

The first of the Summer EBT food benefits are expected to be issued beginning in mid-July 2024 and will continue through October 2024.

For more information, including determining eligibility or requesting a replacement P-EBT card, visit otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/. 

_______________________

¡Gasta tu EBT de verano en las tiendas GrowNYC Greenmarket y Farmstand! 🍅🍉

A partir de julio de 2024, el Estado de Nueva York (NYS) lanzará Summer EBT, un nuevo programa que proporciona a las familias de bajos ingresos beneficios alimentarios para ayudar a comprar comestibles durante el verano, cuando los niños en edad escolar podrían no tener acceso a las comidas escolares.

¿Puede utilizar sus beneficios de EBT de verano en GrowNYC Greenmarkets o Farmstand?

¡SÍ! Los beneficios EBT de verano se pueden utilizar igual que los beneficios SNAP para comprar alimentos en tiendas de comestibles, mercados de agricultores y otros minoristas autorizados por SNAP. Las familias elegibles pueden usar la EBT de verano en los mercados GrowNYC Greenmarket y Farmstand de su vecindario. Además, ¡puede duplicar su dinero! Si gasta $2 en SNAP-EBT y EBT de verano, obtendrá un Billete Saludable adicional de $2 para gastar en frutas y verduras, hasta $10 por día.

¿Quién puede recibir esta prestación?

Las familias que actualmente reciben SNAP se inscribirán automáticamente en el programa EBT de verano. La mayoría de los beneficiarios se inscribirán automáticamente en función de su elegibilidad para SNAP y comidas gratuitas. A las familias que no estén inscritas automáticamente pero que tengan hijos que reúnan los requisitos, se les enviará directamente una carta con instrucciones sobre cómo recibir los beneficios.

¿Qué pasa si usted no recibe una carta pero cree que su hijo/estudiante califica?

Algunos estudiantes que no reúnen los requisitos automáticamente pueden recibir las prestaciones alimentarias EBT de verano rellenando una solicitud. Tenga en cuenta que para ser elegible para solicitar a través de esta aplicación, el estudiante debe asistir a una escuela que participa en el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares (NSLP), Y los ingresos del hogar debe estar en o por debajo de los límites de elegibilidad para comidas escolares gratuitas / precio reducido.

Las familias sólo tendrán que rellenar una solicitud para todos los estudiantes de la unidad familiar, que deberá cumplimentar uno de los padres o el tutor.

¿A cuánto ascenderá la prestación?

En 2024, cada niño que cumpla los requisitos recibirá 120 dólares en prestaciones alimentarias EBT de verano durante un periodo de tres meses. Hay un plazo de 122 días para utilizar todos los beneficios EBT de verano. Todos los beneficios no utilizados se eliminan de la tarjeta después de este tiempo. Asegúrese de utilizar sus beneficios lo antes posible después de recibirlos.

¿A dónde se enviarán los beneficios?

Todos los fondos de EBT de verano se pondrán en la tarjeta EBT Pandémica (P-EBT) emitida anteriormente a menos que se solicite una nueva tarjeta a través del sitio web de la Oficina de Asistencia Temporal y por Discapacidad. Usted puede solicitar una nueva tarjeta a través de la página web de la OTDA, que también es el lugar para ir si usted necesita para reemplazar una tarjeta perdida o robada. Las familias que no hayan recibido anteriormente la P-EBT también pueden solicitar las nuevas tarjetas emitidas a través de este sitio.

¿Cuándo recibiré mi EBT de verano?

Se espera que las primeras prestaciones alimentarias EBT de verano se emitan a partir de mediados de julio de 2024 y continuarán hasta octubre de 2024.

Para obtener más información, incluida la determinación de la elegibilidad o la solicitud de una tarjeta P-EBT de reemplazo, visite https://otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/.

 

 

Greenmarket

Opposing SNAP Cuts: Protecting Our Community's Access to Healthy Food

July 16, 2024

As the expiration date of the Farm Bill looms on September 30th, it's crucial to understand the importance of this legislation, particularly its role in authorizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For 1.8 million New Yorkers, SNAP is not just a program—it’s a lifeline that ensures families have access to healthy food and nutritious meals.

SNAP in New York City: The Numbers

  • 560,000 children in New York City rely on SNAP to help their families put food on the table.
  • Older Adults (60+) represent 30% (530,000) of total SNAP recipients in our city.

These figures highlight the vital role SNAP plays in our community, supporting some of our most vulnerable populations: children and older adults.

The Threat of SNAP Cuts

Recently, the House Committee on Agriculture released a draft version of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (Farm Bill). This draft proposes the elimination of one of the two mechanisms for readjusting SNAP benefits. If enacted, this change would slash approximately $30 billion from SNAP benefits over the next decade. The consequences of such cuts would be devastating, drastically reducing support for the tens of millions of people in this country who are already struggling against hunger, especially during a time of increasing food insecurity.

The Impact on Local Economies

SNAP is not only essential for individuals and families; it also supports local and regional food businesses and economies. In 2023, the NYC Department of Social Services issued approximately $5 billion in SNAP benefits, with more than $3 million of these benefits redeemed at farmers markets. Local supermarkets and bodegas, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, rely on customers using SNAP funds. The USDA estimates that every $1 billion spent in SNAP benefits increases GDP by $1.79 billion, supporting 13,560 jobs and creating $32 million in farm income​.

Protecting the Thrifty Food Plan

The Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to set SNAP benefits, is vital for ensuring that benefit levels reflect current nutritional guidelines and market conditions. The last Farm Bill created a necessary pathway to update this plan every 5 years. However, the proposed cuts would eliminate these updates, preventing necessary adjustments and resulting in $30 billion less in SNAP benefits over the next decade​.

At GrowNYC, we are deeply committed to fighting food insecurity and ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to nutritious food. That's why we are one of more than 1,400 organizations that have signed a letter urging Congress to protect and strengthen SNAP. 

We need your help to amplify this message. Share this blog with your network. Thank you for your support.

#SNAPshot

GrowNYC Zero Waste Community Resources

July 11, 2024

As of June 2024, all GrowNYC Zero Waste programming has ended.  

Please note this does not include food scrap drop-offs at the Union Square Greenmarket or Tompkins Square Greenmarket (operated by the Lower East Side Ecology Center) or Domino Park Greenmarket (operated by Domino Park).

The NYC City Council allocated funding for community composting in the FY25 budget. This $6.2M restoration supports long-time Compost Project advocates with $500k going to GrowNYC, while expanding funding to more community composting and zero waste organizations. 

We’re deeply grateful for the council’s support. We are launching a planning process to re-envision old programming and develop new ways to reduce the environmental impacts of the millions of pounds of waste New Yorkers produce each year. This new, one year discretionary funding is 10% of our previous zero waste budget and will not allow us to recreate the programming we had before - however it remains critical to our program’s future. We are taking time to do this in a thoughtful and financially sustainable way for NYC residents. Please stay tuned via our website or social media (@grownyc) for future updates! 

While our Zero Waste work is taking a pause, we know the community continues to work towards the long-term sustainability of our city. The resources and updates below are subject to change--please check host information before you go. Remember, it's great to recycle and rot, but it's best to reduce and reuse to prevent waste!

Food Waste & Composting

Clothing & Textiles

  • Greenmarket clothing collections run by Wearable Collections will continue at its usual locations. Please check the schedule on our website for up-to-date information on drop-off locations, collection times, and accepted materials. 
  • ReFashionNYC is a convenient and free textile donation and recycling service available for NYC residential and commercial buildings, schools, and nonprofit institutions. 

Electronics

Reusable Items

  • Interested in hosting your own swap? Use GrowNYC’s DIY Guide for reference! 
  • Big Reuse accepts home goods, clothing, books, furniture and more. 
  • Use DonateNYC to find where you can donate your gently used items near you! 
  • Facebook Marketplace and/or Local “Buy Nothing” groups

Sustainable Summer with GrowNYC!

July 2, 2024

Schools out, Summer days in New York City are here! ☀ In honor of the sunny days, GrowNYC put together some ways to get involved in your community and live more sustainably during the warmer months. 

1. Visit your nearest GrowNYC Greenmarket

Nothing screams summer like a visit to a farmers market! The year-round GrowNYC Greenmarket network is growing, offering more seasonal delights directly from farmers from May through November. Throughout the season New Yorkers (and visitors) can find a bounty of fresh, local products at Greenmarkets throughout the city.

Since 1976, this vital food access program has bridged the connection between small farmers and New Yorkers! GrowNYC works with over 200 regional producers to transform open space across the five boroughs into vibrant centers of community activity, ensure fresh, local food is accessible to all New Yorkers, and provide a crucial sales channel for farmers and producers in the Northeast.

All GrowNYC Greenmarket locations accept SNAP/EBT, Debit/Credit, Healthfirst OTC cards (LIP and CC members only), WIC & Senior FMNP coupons, Fresh Connect Bucks, and Greenmarket Bucks. Customers using SNAP/EBT/P-EBT that spend $2, receive a bonus $2 Health Buck, up to $10 per day.

2. Plan a visit to GrowNYC’s Teaching Garden

The GrowNYC Teaching Garden on Governors Island is a one acre urban farm that aims to engage, excite, and educate its visitors in all aspects of environmental education, urban farming, and climate action.

The Teaching Garden is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM - 4 PM, starting Saturday, May 4 until October 27.

  • All ferry passengers ride free on the Governor Island’s Ferry from Manhattan on Saturdays and Sundays before noon. Making this an fun and accessible environmental weekend activity for all New York City families, visitors, and anyone interested in immersing themselves into an urban oasis. 

  • Have a chance to purchase an array of just-picked vegetables, herbs, and fruits from GrowNYC’s donation-based farmstand! Pay what you wish. The produce you'll find at the Farmstand was planted by NYC students during their field trips to the Garden.

3. Join your nearest community garden

NYC is home to the largest community garden network in the nation and there's no time like the present to join or visit your nearest community green space!
Interested in joining or visiting one of NYC's 600 existing community gardens? Find one at NYC Parks GreenThumb or check out GrowNYC’s garden map to see what green spaces we’ve worked with in the past.

4. Volunteer with GrowNYC and other mission-driven organizations

Interested in volunteering with GrowNYC? Get involved in your community and join one of our online orientations where we will provide information about GrowNYC, local agriculture and food access, as well as current and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Orientation is open to all, however, GrowNYC volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Volunteer orientation is required to participate in our volunteer opportunities.

5. Become a Friend of GrowNYC

Friends of GrowNYC commit to making a recurring gift of $15 or more every month. When you give monthly, you support GrowNYC programming year-round, from planting to harvest season!

What are the benefits? Friends of GrowNYC receive an exclusive GrowNYC cotton canvas tote bag, as well as invitations to members-only online and in person events throughout the year.

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