More Farmers Markets to Accept Food Stamps

Bloomberg Business Week is reporting that the federal government is spending $4 million to help more local farmers sell its produce to low-income families.

The money is being spent on wireless point-of-sale equipment for the farmers markets that do not already have the capability to process debit cards. This will allow the farmers to accept the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system debit cards, more commonly referred to as food stamps.

Kathleen Merrigan, deputy secretary of agriculture, believes the initiative will benefit both the local famers and their low-income customers.

Since 2008, food stamp purchases at farmers markets have risen 400 percent.

Tell us in the comments:

Is this a good use of federal funds? Why or why not?