SHIP stories
The Statewide Health Improvement Program
(SHIP) works to improve health through
better nutrition, increased physical activity
and decreased commercial tobacco use and
exposure.
• SHIP works to help support individuals
seeking to make healthy choices. One
key for SHIP efforts is working with
communities to increase access to good
nutrition. In its first three years, SHIP
Supported or created 71 farmers
markets in Minnesota.
New stamp of approval at farmers
markets: EBT
“We want to cover everybody – the EBT (Electronic
Benefit Transfer) program is too important to only do
halfway,” commented Jack Gerten, Market Manager
of St. Paul’s farmers markets. EBT provides financial
support for struggling families to help them meet their
basic needs. These basic needs include food, shelter,
clothing, utilities and transportation.
“Saint Paul Farmers’ Markets went from accepting EBT
at the main downtown location in 2011 to six locations
in 2012,” commented Ramsey County Statewide
Health Improvement Program (SHIP) Coordinator Julie
Seiber. The expansion was largely initiated through
collaborations between several groups including SHIP,
Minnesota Department of Human Services and Blue
Cross Blue Shield.
“We were able to reach and notify EBT recipients
of EBT’s expansion into farmers markets through a
updated 1/2013
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii
statewide direct mail campaign in collaboration with
the Department of Human Services,” added Julie. The
popularity and growth of the program was also the
product of an ongoing collaboration between SHIP and
Blue Cross Blue Shield.
“EBT also received a lot of support through Blue
Cross Blue Shield’s Market Bucks incentive program,”
commented Julie. Market Bucks provided up to $5
per day to SNAP recipients for each dollar they spent
using EBT cards at a participating farmers market.
***
SHIP is working to make the healthy choice the easy
choice in Minnesota. Find out how at
www.health.state.mn.us/ship