Connecticut farmers can register to accept food stamps at farms, farmers markets

Connecticut farmers will have an opportunity to become authorized to accept food stamps from customers at their farms and at farmers markets.

Merchant sign-up days are planned for Wednesday at the Middlesex County Extension Center in Haddam and on March 31 at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby. Farmers can register to participate in the federal USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and get help in encouraging SNAP customers to shop at farms and farmers markets.

The state's Department of Agriculture is working with the USDA to host the sign-up days.

Kurt Messner, the acting regional administrator for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's Northeast Regional Office, said the program helps farmers expand their customer base.

Currently, 156 Connecticut farmers are listed in the USDA's National Farmers Market Directory.