Food Stamps for Fruit Trees program



Did you know that USDA Food Stamps can be used
to buy seeds and plants for food?


It is also allowed
in the Food Stamp regulations
for groups to pool their
Food Stamps together
to be able to get
bulk quantities of items.


It is also possible at the
Hilo Farmers' Market
(corner of Mamo Street
and Kamehameha Avenue
in Hilo, Hawai'i)
to use the new
Electronic Benefit Transfer
(EBT) cards for food stamp purchases
at the Hilo Farmers' Market
(including fruit trees
and seeds and plants for food!)



This was the first Farmers' Market
in the U.S.A. or anywhere else
to offer this valuable option!!

(The EBT debit terminal is only
open from 6:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
on Wednesday and Saturday
Market days).


Furthermore, USDA Food Stamp Program
administrative staff can approve wholesale
Food Stamp purchases from church groups and other
"non-profit" groups on a case-by-case basis.
(an application is required.)


Paradise Gardens Caretakers will be able
to participate in this program as well, to buy
fruit trees and seeds to grow fruit
trees and other plants. This is part of our
Paradise Restoration Project.






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