A North Carolina farmers market advertises its acceptance of food stamps in 2012. (Allen Breed/AP)An Austin-based payments company whose pending shutdown last summer threatened the ability of thousands of farmers markets to accept food stamps has received a $2 million lifeline. Before Square, Novo Dia received undisclosed sums from two other organizations. Next, the New York state government in partnership with the New York Farmers Market Federation provided an additional six months funding. After all, in 2017 less than 1 percent of SNAP transactions took place at farmers markets or directly with farmers.

Source: Washington Post January 31, 2019 12:00 UTC