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Flint program's use of technology is model for others
- Details
- By Duane M. Elling
- Wednesday, November 09, 2011
- Hits: 309
While the Double Up Food Bucks Program at the Flint Farmers' Market has been under way for only a few months, it's already making its mark in the field.
For example, Double Up customers at other participating farmers' markets around Michigan receive their program credits in the form of metal tokens, which they redeem with market vendors.
The Flint program, however, uses an electronic debit card, similar in appearance to a retail gift or rewards card. Customers swipe the cards at transaction machines, that participating vendors lease for a small fee. The information is sent to a central database at the market, which automatically tallies the Double Up credits as they are earned and used.
To develop the required technology, Oran Hesterman, president of Fair Food Network in Ann Arbor, looked at firms as far away as California, but ultimately contracted with Epic Technology Solutions in downtown Flint.
Epic staff took just a few months to develop the debit card-based system, the first of its kind for a food incentive program. Hesterman says it is easy to use for both shoppers and vendors. It is discreet, yet tamper-resistant, and provides realtime reporting on the program.
Such benefits will likely make the system highly attractive to other initiatives around the country, he said.
"I find it very exciting that it's the innovative thinking right there in Flint, that's making this happen," said Hesterman.
(Note: This report is provided as a service to our readers and a service to the group or individual mentioned in the release. Usually, only minor editing is done. The group or individual is responsible for all information provided.)
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