KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI -- Farmers markets in Missouri are seeing increases both in the number of vendors and the number of customers. The Missouri Department of Agriculture's farmers market map lists 203 markets throughout the state.
But the growing number of people using food stamps is putting a damper on their businesses.
"People have started to depend on the state for food benefits more," said Christy Carden, who sells apples and sweet potatoes grown by farmers in Missouri and Mississippi.
"We're not able to accept the EBT card and people have to pay cash. They would rather pay a higher price at the store because they're not paying with cash or their money."
Carden said Oct. 8 and 9 will be the last weekend the family sells apples and sweet potatoes in Kirksville before moving on to another destination. They will be parked on Baltimore street right across from the Alliant bank office.
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