NORTH CAROLINA -- Buying local produce with an EBT card at some farmer’s markets may become a challenge.

  • On July 31, a group called Novo Dia is shutting down. The group has provided EBT reading technology to vendors since 2014
  • This change will force local vendors to pay about $1,000 for the new equipment or possibly lose those sales
  • More than $17,000 markets nationwide are facing this same problem

On July 31, a group called Novo Dia is shutting down.

The group has provided EBT reading technology to vendors since 2014.

This change will force local vendors to pay about $1,000 for the new equipment or possibly lose those sales.

Franklin County farmer Michael Jones says his old card reading equipment used to be free to him through federal grants.

"Some of them do walk away and they're disappointed. It’s always sad to miss a sale. If they provided the support and technology again I would accept EBT cards," said Jones with Mae Farms.

For now Jones is only serving customers with debit, credit, or cash.

More than $17,000 markets nationwide are facing this same problem.

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