Just in time for their peak season, the Hodag Farmers Market was notified recently they soon won't be able to take Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds.
The software company Novo Dia Group announced they will discontinue an app used by 18 Wisconsin Farmer's Markets to process SNAP purchases.
Hodag Market spokesperson Jasmyn Schmidt says explains..
"...The app is owned by a company called Novo Dia Group which contracted with the USDA to accept food stamp dollars. Unfortunately it's the only app of it's kind that works on Apple and mobile devices. This won't affect grocery stores but it affects Farmers Markets a great deal because there's no phone lines or power lines, we need it to be mobile. On July 31 they've announced due to contract changes with the USDA and technical problems they will be discontinuing the app...."
Schmidt says a new company will take over but it won't be ready for this season.
Schmidt says on June 1 Novo Dia accepted a 12-month license contract with the Hodag Farmers Market.
She says low-income people will be affected...
"....Unfortunate for the low-income population of Rhinelander because it did take us quite a few years to get those families to start shopping at the Farmer's Market and change their shopping habits...."
Meanwhile, in Tomahawk, Tomahawk Main Street announced a $1,000 grant received from Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital to help promote the use of EBT funds at the downtown Farmer’s Market. The funding is being used to cover the annual cost of the card machine and processing fees which averages almost $400, advertising and promotion costs along with a matching funds amount.
