Would you like to accept SNAP at your farm stand? Or participate in the Farmers Market Coupon program? In this workshop, representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and USDA - Food and Nutriton Services (FNS), shared information for farmers interested in selling to Supplemental Food Nutrition Programs' beneficiaries. The workshop included topics about eligibility requirements, equipment considerations, and the application process on the state and federal level.
About the Presenters:
Rebecca Davidson manages the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, a fruit and vegetable benefit program for seniors and WIC participants. Rebecca is also the Strategic Initiatives Manager and Environmental Justice Lead for MDAR. In this role, she advances the Secretariat’s Environmental Justice Policy, focusing on community engagement, language services, and equitable access to agency programming.
David Webber is the Farmers’ Market Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). At MDAR, David works on various programs and special events that promote local agriculture and good health, including farmers market development and support. He also works with the Department of Transitional Assistance to support the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and collaborates with MA Farm to School and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Farm to School Initiatives. David received a BA in Sociology from Clark University in Worcester, MA and has a Master of Public Health from Boston University.
Jemall Pittman serves as a Section Chief for the Retailer Operations Division, Food and Nutrient Services (FNS). Jemall came to FNS in 2014, following a 26 year career in the U.S. Army. Mr. Pittman’s responsibilities include authorizing, reauthorizing, reviewing business integrity issues for traditional retail stores in Oklahoma, Oregon, Nebraska, and Illinois and any non-traditional/meal services in all 50 states; including Guam and Virgin Island. Jemall received his master’s degree in 2008; and completed his doctoral coursework with a concentration in Organizational Leadership at Franklin University. Jemall resides in Edgewood, MD, with his lovely wife. His interest includes spending time with family, mentoring, sports, Bar B- Qing, and smoking meat.
Tarissa (pronounced Ty-res-sa) Johnson serves as the Team Lead for Retailer Operations Division, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). Tarissa came to work for FNS in 2015. Prior to FNS Tarissa worked for the Illinois Department of Human Services for 7 years. Tarissa served in the US Navy for 4 ½ years and graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor Degree in Science. Illinois is where Tarissa lives with her husband and two active children. In her free time she enjoys reading on her kindle.
Additional Resources
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
MA Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award number 2021-70027-34693, as an effort to connect Massachusetts' Underserved and Beginning Producers to Safety Net and Farm Support Programs.