The CSA Pilot operates under a waiver from USDA. To be eligible as a SNAP CSA retailer, a retailer must be a SNAP-authorized direct marketing farm, farmers market, or nonprofit buying cooperative. DTA and the retailer sign a Memorandum of Understanding and develop a client Membership Agreement.
SNAP clients who wish to join a SNAP CSA program contact the retailer, fill out the retailer's CSA Membership Agreement, and send to DTA. The Membership Agreement authorizes payments to the retailer to be withdrawn by DTA from the client’s SNAP account automatically each month. No in-person EBT transaction nor EBT equipment is required to process the SNAP payment. (Note: If the retailer participates in HIP, the client will earn the HIP incentives automatically as well.)
In exchange, clients receive shares of produce during the CSA season, typically weekly. Clients may cancel their CSA agreement at any time.
For more information, please contact DTA.CSA@state.ma.us.