St. Petersburg, FL (October 6, 2017) – Due to Hurricane Irma and effective immediately, the St Petersburg Saturday Morning Market, 230 1st St. SE, will accept SNAP benefits until the end of October in exchange for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on Market premises. These special rules are in effect through October 31, 2017. When hot foods are purchased with SNAP benefits, the purchases are NOT subject to sales tax. Licensed Market retailers are encouraged to post notices informing customers that they may use SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods or food to be consumed onsite at the Saturday Morning Market. The Market is USDA licensed to accept SNAP benefits in Pinellas County.
The Florida Organic Growers will match SNAP benefits up to $40 each week for the month of October for purchases made at the Saturday Morning Market; SNAP recipients will then receive $40 in Fresh Access Bucks to purchase Florida-grown fruits and vegetables. For example, a SNAP shopper who spends s $10 of their SNAP benefits at a participating market receives an additional $10 to purchase fresh, local produce. Customers may use the benefits right away or before October 31 to for fresh produce purchases.
The Saturday Morning Market is open every Saturday in October through May, beginning October 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot. For more information, visit www.saturdaymorningmarket.com.