Market Link: How to Buy Fresh Produce and Groceries at Reduced Prices

What Market Link is and how it works in South Carolina

Market Link is a South Carolina program that helps people with lower incomes buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and other groceries by matching the money they spend at farmers markets and participating grocery stores. When you use your SNAP benefits (food stamps) at a Market Link vendor, the program adds extra money to your account that you can spend on fresh produce.

The program operates through a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Social Services and local farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery retailers across the state. You do not need to sign up separately for Market Link if you already receive SNAP benefits—the match is often automatic when you swipe your card at a participating location.

The amount of the match varies by location and by program year. Some markets offer a dollar-for-dollar match up to a set limit per week or month, while others may offer different ratios. The goal is to make fresh, local produce more affordable and to support farmers and vendors in your community at the same time.

Key Takeaways

• Market Link adds extra money to your SNAP account when you spend your benefits on fresh produce at participating farmers markets and grocery stores.
• You do not need to register separately if you already receive SNAP; the match typically happens automatically at the point of sale.
• The match amount and rules differ by vendor and location, so ask at your farmers market or store what their specific program offers.
• Market Link funds can only be used for fresh fruits, vegetables, and sometimes other unprocessed foods—not prepared meals or non-food items.
• Finding a participating vendor near you is the first step, since not all farmers markets or stores in South Carolina participate.

Where to find Market Link vendors in your area

Market Link operates at farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores in counties across South Carolina, but not every market or store participates. The easiest way to find vendors near you is to contact your local farmers market directly and ask whether they accept SNAP and offer Market Link matching.

You can also reach out to the South Carolina Department of Social Services or call 211 (a free helpline that connects you to local resources) to ask which farmers markets and stores in your county run Market Link. Some regional food banks and community action agencies also maintain lists of participating vendors.

When you find a market or store, ask the staff what the match amount is, whether there are weekly or monthly limits, and whether you need to do anything special at checkout. Most vendors will simply process your SNAP card as usual, and the match will appear in your account automatically.

How to use your Market Link funds at checkout

Using Market Link is straightforward: bring your SNAP card (EBT card) to a participating vendor and shop for may be able to access fresh produce and foods. At checkout, swipe your card as you normally would. The vendor will process your purchase, and the matching funds will be added to your account either immediately or within a few days, depending on how the program is set up at that location.

Some markets use a token or voucher system instead of automatic matching. In those cases, you may receive physical tokens or vouchers when you spend your SNAP benefits, and you can use those tokens to buy additional produce at the same market. Ask the vendor which system they use so you know what to expect.

Keep your receipt so you have a record of your purchase. If you do not see the match appear in your account within the timeframe the vendor told you, contact them to confirm the transaction went through correctly.

What foods you can buy with Market Link funds

Market Link funds work on fresh, unprocessed foods that are already covered by SNAP. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whether they are grown locally or shipped in. may be able to access items typically include apples, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, berries, squash, and other produce you find at farmers markets and grocery stores.

Some programs also allow you to use Market Link matching on other SNAP-may be able to access foods like beans, grains, dairy products, and meat, depending on what the vendor stocks and what the program rules allow. Prepared foods, hot meals, non-food items, and alcohol are never may be able to access.

Ask the vendor or check signage at the market to see which specific items may have access to for the match at that location. The rules can vary slightly from one vendor to another, so it is worth confirming before you shop.

Limits on how much you can earn in matching funds

Most Market Link programs set a weekly or monthly cap on how much matching money you can receive. This might be $5 per week, $10 per week, $20 per month, or another amount—it depends on the vendor and the program year. Once you reach that limit, you can still spend your own SNAP benefits at the market, but you will not earn additional matching funds until the next week or month.

The cap exists so that the program can serve as many people as possible with the funding available. Ask your vendor what their specific limit is so you can plan your shopping and make the most of the match.

If you shop at multiple participating vendors, you may be able to earn matching funds at each one, but again, the rules vary. Some programs count all your matches together toward one cap, while others track them separately by vendor. Clarify this with each vendor you plan to use.

Why Market Link matters for your community

Market Link does two things at once: it helps you afford more fresh produce, and it puts money directly into the pockets of local farmers and vendors. When you shop at a farmers market using Market Link, the vendor gets paid for their goods, and you get more fresh food for your family. This creates a cycle that strengthens local agriculture and food systems.

Fresh produce from farmers markets is often picked closer to the day you buy it than grocery store produce, which means it can taste better and last longer in your kitchen. Shopping at markets also connects you to the people who grow your food and to other people in your community.

By using Market Link, you are also supporting South Carolina's agricultural economy and helping to make sure that fresh, healthy food is available to everyone, regardless of income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sign up for Market Link, or does it happen automatically?

In most cases, Market Link is automatic if you have SNAP benefits and shop at a participating vendor. You do not need to fill out a separate form or register. However, some programs or vendors may require you to register once, so ask when you first visit a market whether you need to do anything to activate the match.

What if my SNAP benefits run out before the end of the month?

Market Link only adds money when you spend your own SNAP benefits. If your benefits are exhausted, you cannot earn additional matching funds. If you are running out of benefits before the month ends, contact your local Department of Social Services office to discuss your situation—you may be able to increase your monthly benefit amount.

Can I use Market Link at any farmers market in South Carolina?

No, only vendors that have signed up to participate in Market Link offer the matching funds. Some farmers markets and stores do not participate. Call ahead or ask at the market whether they run Market Link before you shop, so you know whether you will earn a match on your purchase.

Can I transfer my Market Link matching funds to someone else?

No, Market Link funds are tied to your SNAP account and can only be used by you. They cannot be transferred, given away, or used by another household member. The funds must be spent on food at participating vendors.

What happens to my matching funds if I do not use them before the week or month ends?

This depends on how the program is set up at your vendor. Some programs roll unused matching funds into the next period, while others reset the limit to zero. Ask your vendor what their policy is so you know whether you need to use your match by a certain date.