MarketLink Program to End Service by July 31st

Critical news for farmers markets EBT programs

Dear FMC Members,

An article published today by the Washington Post concerns Novo Dia Group (NDG), an equipment provider that processes SNAP, EBT, WIC and FMNP purchases at farmers markets and farm stands nationwide.

The article announces that NDG will go out of business July 31st, effectively ending their MarketLink program and terminating service to their customers. NDG is expected to begin notifying participating markets about its intentions later today or early tomorrow.

This is obviously a huge concern as 1,700 farmers markets and farmers use MarketLink's MobileMarket+ app to accept SNAP, many of whom were promised service for up to three years through the SNAP EBT Equipment Program.

FMC was contracted with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to administer the SNAP EBT Equipment Program from 2015 until November of last year. After the program’s contract was put through the government's standard competitive bid process, a new contractor, Financial Transaction Management (FTM), was selected to take over the program in April.

While various factors are attributed to the company’s shutdown, FTM’s decision not to include NDG as an equipment provider for the program has impacted the group’s ability to sustain operations. FTM’s equipment program has yet to begin accepting applications, and information about when it will begin and what it will offer has not been made public. 

FNS is aware of the problem and is exploring the available options. Here at FMC, we are working to share information and explore solutions to avoid an interruption in service with an eye towards long term solutions.

We also understand that for those of you who use MarketLink or the Mobile Market+ app, the article raises more questions than it answers. If you are an FMC member and MarketLink user, and have additional questions about how this situation will impact your market, please don’t hesitate to contact FMC Program Associate Emma Hansen at em...@farmersmarketcoalition.org or 888-362-8177 ext. 705.

The situation is evolving quickly. We will keep you posted with updates as we learn new information.

Ben Feldman FMC Policy Director b...@farmersmarketcoalition.org