Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer says food stamp benefits can be used at an increasing number of farmers' markets in the state.
Comer says up to 225 farmers' markets and individual producers now use Electronic Benefit Transfer equipment — a more than 10-fold increase from 21 markets participating in 2010. EBT equipment lets customers buy foods at farmers' markets with food stamp benefits and to pay with debit or credit cards.
Comer says the EBT equipment helps both customers and farmers.
He says consumers can buy locally produced foods and Kentucky farmers can make a better living.
Nationwide, farmers' markets redeemed $16.6 million in food stamp benefits last year, compared with $4.2 million five years ago.