Cleveland residents who get SNAP benefits have an extra incentive to buy fruit and vegetables at farmers markets: a program called “Produce Perks” that matches what you spend, dollar for dollar.
The program used to be offered at Dave’s Markets locations around Cleveland, too. A federal funding cut nixed that as of late last year. But local foundations raised enough money to continue offering the program at farmers markets around Cuyahoga County.
Here’s what to know.
Who is eligible for the Produce Perks program?
Anyone with an Ohio Direction Card. If you live outside of Cuyahoga County but receive SNAP, you can visit farmers markets within the county to participate in the program.
How does the Produce Perks program work?
After arriving at the farmers’ market, go to the customer service booth and swipe your SNAP/EBT Ohio Direction Card. Tell staff how much you plan to spend. The amount you specified will be charged to your card.
You will then be handed two types of tokens: EBT tokens in the amount of SNAP you planned to spend, and a matching number of Produce Perks tokens up to $25.
Shop at the different vendors using the tokens.
What can I spend my tokens on?
The Produce Perks tokens can be spent on whole, fresh fruit and vegetables, seeds and fruit or vegetable plants.
EBT tokens can be spent on anything that’s SNAP-eligible at the farmer’s market, such as meat or dairy.
What if I have tokens left over after a shopping trip?
EBT tokens must be spent at the farmers market where you received them, according to the nonprofit Produce Perks Midwest. But Produce Perks tokens can be spent on different days at any participating farmers market.
What farmers markets participate?
Here’s a list of farmers markets in Cuyahoga County where you can receive and spend Produce Perks tokens.
City Fresh
Weekly farm boxes (Tuesday – Friday) at 16 locations throughout Cleveland, Euclid, Westlake, Lakewood, Berea, Lorain, Oberlin and Elyria. To order, visit cityfresh.org
Coit Road Farmers’ Market
🕔 Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (year round)
🕔 Tuesday, 5 to 8 p.m. (July – September)
📍 15000 Woodworth Road, East Cleveland
Food For All Euclid Beach
🕠 Tuesday, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (June 20 – Oct. 31)
📍 15901 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland
Good Earth Farm Stand
🕒 Monday and Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m. (May – October), 3 to 5 p.m. (November through April)
🕒 Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. (May – October)
📍 9600 Madison Ave., Cleveland
Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market
🕙 Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (June 15 – Oct. 12)
📍 16906 Albers Ave., Cleveland
Lakewood Earth & Food Community Farmers Market
🕠 Thursday, 5:30 – 7:30 PM (June 19 – Oct. 30)
📍 15425 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood
La Marketa
🕚 Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (May 24 – Aug. 23)
📍 3690 Seymore Ave., Cleveland
Old Brooklyn Farmers Market
🕔 Monday, 5 to 8 p.m. (July 10 – Sep. 25)
📍 4741 W. 32nd St., Cleveland (Loew Park)
Public Square Farmers Market
🕔 Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m. (June 11 – Oct. 29)
📍101 W. Superior Ave, Cleveland
RevLove Market
Days and times vary.
Visit revlovefarm.org
Tremont Farmers Market
🕓 Wednesday, 4 to 7 p.m. (May 20 – Oct. 14)
📍 1208 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland
North Union Farmers Markets:
Chagrin Falls
🕘 Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon (June 1 – Oct. 19)
📍 21 N. Franklin Street, Chagrin Falls
Cleveland Clinic
🕥 Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (June 4 – Oct. 29)
📍 Carnegie Avenue & East 100th Street, Cleveland
Crocker Park
🕘 Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (April – December), 9 a.m. to noon (January – March)
📍 Corner of Crocker and Detroit roads, Westlake
Lakewood
🕘 Wednesday, noon to 1 p.m. (June 4 – Oct. 29)
📍 13029 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Legacy Village
🕘 Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon (June 8 – Oct. 12)
📍 25389 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst
Shaker Square
🕗 Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon (April 5 – Dec. 20)
📍 13111 Shaker Square, Cleveland
University Hospitals
🕥 Thursday, 10:30 AM – 1 p.m. (June – October)
📍 2074 Adelbert Road, Cleveland
Van Aken
🕓 Thursday, 4 – 7 p.m. (June – September)
🕘 Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon (January – March)
📍 3401 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights
This story was corrected to reflect the correct day of the week that the Lake Earth and Food Community Farmers Market is open.
