A company that processes farmers market purchases using government benefits will shut down at the end of the month. That leaves 24 Indiana farmers markets without a way for customers to pay using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars. SNAP benefits used to be called food stamps.

By August 1, these markets will need new equipment to accept SNAP dollars. This could cost nonprofits and local governments thousands of dollars. Most Indiana farmers markets are in food deserts, where residents live miles away from grocery stores. Farmers market advocates say low-income people may not have other places to get fresh produce and meats if markets can’t take SNAP.