ACRONYMS AND GLOSSARY
DSS – Department of Social Services SNAP and other applications are processed at DSS offices. DHS – Department of Human Services The agency in Maryland that oversees DSS offices, issues benefits, and tracks SNAP redemptions at all retailer locations (including farmers markets and direct-marketing farms). EBT – Electronic Benefit Transfer The debit-like system for administering SNAP benefits that replaced the former paper vouchers. In Maryland, benefits are electronically loaded on SNAP/EBT cards, also called Independence Card, from the 4th-23rd of each month. FFARMD Foundation – the Farms and Food Access for a Resilient Maryland Foundation The Foundation supports efforts pertaining to the availability and distribution of locally produced agricultural products to persons in Maryland experiencing food insecurity. FMNP – Farmers Market Nutrition Program Funds are provided by the USDA and the program is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. There are two programs, WIC FMNP and SENIOR FMNP. Funds are distributed to eligible recipients during the summer months, in the form of $5 checks. FNS – Food and Nutrition Service This is the unit within the USDA that administers SNAP/EBT. The FNS regional field office that oversees Maryland is the Mid-Atlantic office, which is located in New Jersey. GrownBy The online eCommerce platform which is available for farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers to accept SNAP/EBT as payment for online orders through USDA’s online purchasing pilot. Independence Card In the state of Maryland, SNAP/EBT and P-EBT benefits are issued on a yellow SNAP/EBT card known as an Independence Card. MDA – Maryland Department of Agriculture The MDA manages FMNP programs (WIC FMNP and Senior FMNP) in Maryland. MDH – Department of Health The Maryland Department of Health manages the WIC program in Maryland. MARBIDCO – Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation MARBIDCO helps Maryland farm businesses achieve sustainability and profitability through the provision of targeted business assistance and financial services. Market-Level System A market-level system uses one centralized system to accept SNAP/EBT, P-EBT, credit/debit benefits at the market. This system requires the use of tokens or coupons for proper implementation. MarketLink MarketLink, a program of NAFMNP is a USDA grant program that connects direct-market farmers and farmers markets with mobile application-based equipment for accepting SNAP/EBT, eWIC, and credit/debit. MarketLink also partners with Maryland Market Money on its e-incentives pilot.
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