I have a special needs daughter who has an EBt card since she lives in a group home and has autism. This Baker cannot know each person's situation and judge who has a card and does not have one. My child is disabled and is given a card for that reason. I do not want her eating some heavy fat and suger laden pie anyway but would not like this BAKER judging her or the others in her group home who need help.

I hope the Farmer's Market rethinks it's decision to allow her to continue there since she clearly discriminates.

Guess this is to be expected since those who use EBT cards are vilified as drug taking cheats rather than people who need help.

I agree with Jean Bowden above. We cannot make judgements about reasons why people have an EBT card. People have special needs or problems. A healthy pie is certainly a good use. I feel it is not our job to judge people. The baker should rethink things.

It's outrageous. Hopefully the baker posts a sign stating her policy so the public can decide whether to patronize her business. In the meantime, surely the Braintree Farmer's Market has policies and practices for participants to follow, and accepting EBt is one of them. Is she doesn't, she should be excluded. In the meantime, doesn't the Braintree Farmer's Market uses public land and facilities ? why does Braintree allow this ?

This saddens me, that in this day and age people still behave this way. I have clients that work two jobs and still qualify for Food Stamps and to think this woman would deny someone a freaking pie just because they have EBT is disgusting! this pie company is right up the street from where i live, I'm utterly disgusted by what she has said, I hope I don't see her in the Norwood farmer's market or any other farmer's market she should be banned! Gross!

I have a friend who lost her job, a good paying job and started working at the local supermarket, she qualifies for food stamps (EBT) she goes to the JP farmers market all the time they have never denied her anything! I bet this pie trash wouldn't make it in JP!

Why is this baker being villified? You don't have to buy her pies. Why don't people open their eyes and see that their tax dollars are being used for unintended purposes. I understand that there are exceptions and circumstances not know but the baker is reacting to the fact that our politicians love to give away OUR money. Yes, the taxes that they use OUR money.
There is a need for social programs and assistance programs but when you take a big look at all of the waste in the system - there needs to be limits. Fiscal responsibility. Where is it.
That you can use these cards at hair/nail salons, to buy lottery tickets, liquor, cigaretts, pizza shops, Burger King, McDonalds and VICTORIA SECRETS ( - ???? - not really a necessity of life) one can only wonder why most tax payers are not outraged and the lack of oversight.

I would think this baker would be delighted that people wished to buy her pies, no matter the currency. Her attitude is a reflection of the tendency to be quick to judge others without knowing a thing about them. At the Falmouth Service Center, we see many people who for some reason are down on their luck and find themselves in need of a helping hand. It is a thin line that separates us.Sickness, loss of a job or other financial crisis could push many of us over that line too. Maureen Fessenden

This baker needs to be educated. Not everyone who uses EBT cards is purposely taking a free ride. As a visiting nurse, I can assure you there are many sick and/or disabled people who absolutely need the assistance. Many elders rely on social security which barely pays enough to pay rent and utilities, never mind food. That is why they are income qualified to accept food stamps in the form of an EBT card, which by the way has lessened their shame they already feel.

Any bets that Baker takes in a LOT of cash that she never pays taxes on? Wouldn't want to spoil things by creating an EBT paper trail, no matter how thin!

let me put a republican spin on this... I go as far to say that this pie company is anti-American! this great nation was built on the backs of poor folks, remember that. So by denying this woman's EBT is against the poor which is against America! there I said it!!!

K. Dont know the EBT rules enough to know if pie is a legal purchase and will not comment on people useing it to buy pie. I will say that EBT is only one way to buy tokens. I get tokens every week rather than stop at an ATM to get $ for weeks worth of groceries, and I like the program. She is cuttIng out a lot of non EBT customers also.

Pretty sure this woman should be allowed the right to accept whatever she wants as payment the same way a gas station can say cash only. I think the EBT is a great system to help those who are in need get necessities and get back on their feet and I can also see why she feels that whoopie pies are not a necessity and therefore the EBT card should not be used to purchase them.

I see both sides here but I believe that Fiscal Conservative shared the Baker's point. After all, if the Baker really just wanted to make money she would take the tokens. She is technically losing money by refusing the tokens. The Baker is making a point that EBT money should be used for essentials. If she was selling veggies and fruits she WOULD expect them. I don't think she is judging the people who use EBT but as a business owner and tax payer she is saying cash only. Too bad the nail salons, liquour stores and places that sold cigerettes do not have the same principals. Instead of the Farmer's Market kicking the Baker out perhaps the state will change what can and can't be purchased with EBT funds???? Just saying....

I see a lot of ready, fire, aim, knee-jerk partisan comments here. Stop and take your feet out of your mouths. EBT fraud and abuse is not in question is it: it is real and we all know it. Why can't Ms.Tabor stand by her principles not to take tax payers money for a non-staple, non-essential food product? Stop and think before speaking and texting.

As a small business owner, I understand that this woman has a right to decide who she serves, but I say it is the wrong choice. The people who benefit most from an EBT card or Food Stamps are children. So they shouldn't eat pie? I think allowing families to use their card at farmer's markets is a win-win for all. it gives low-income families the chance to buy healthy, fresh food (which isn't always available in low-income neighborhoods), and they in turn are supporting local farmers and businesses. The majority of families on TAFDC have worked and paid taxes; they have fallen on hard times and have had the difficult (and embarassing) choice to ask for help for their children. How humiliating to then be turned away because someone thinks they /their children are not worthy! If she is so concerned about our taxpayers dollars being misused, say something about the large corporations or Mitt Romney sheltering his money in offshore bank accounts to avoid paying taxes, not children who like pie.

Not siding with any ONE here, BUT, too many people who have EBT are seen in food lines buying up lobsters, steaks, pricy cuts of meats, and those who are working AND struggling to make ends meet are horrified by this. As for the pie baker, Maybe she does not know how tuo turn in the coins, vouchers, or maybe they will charge her to have the machine which would swipe the cards for payment. PLEASE do not go down the bakers throat for not having all of the information to process a payment of EBT, but maybe those of you vilifying this baker should get out there and help educate. Yes, not everyone is shmucking up the system, I personally know several families which are on it and the parents work 4 jobs between them just to have a roof over their heads.
Point out the people who ARE mucking out the system to the proper authorities, and maybe the TOWN or EBT people should have a class for vendors, merchants, whomever to teach about the system.
SOmetimes I also personnaly wonder about the people in front of me in line with EBT cards and yet they are dressed to the nines and driving a hummer. makes me feel I too should get on the correct bandwagon, as I am miising something here.

This is not vilification of the poor. It is an belief that EBT should be used for non-luxury items. The woman is entitled to her belief. If you disagree with it, don't buy any whoopie pies from her. She knows her stance will surely turn some people off, but it will also likely gain her business from like minded folks. And she's getting tons of free publicity because of the issue.

Food assistance doesn't go very far, especially if you choose nutritional fare. I would much rather see a steak and some chicken breast on the taxpayers dime than a crap ton of frozen ready made crap and chips. People butt poor and on welfare are rarely living happily high on the hog. That leads to poor eating habits and self medicating with a tub of little debbies in many cases.

This lady is selling her pies in a land of affordable nutritional bounty. You don't need a pie folks. You want it, it may be tasty and make you feel better for a moment, but the proteins, fruits and leafy greens are what you NEED. Food stamps are meant to satisfy need, not want.

She isn't saying you can't buy a pie. She is saying if you want this pie, you are going to have to pay with cash. Welfare or no welfare, you want a pie, you pay cash. That's not a judgement, it's a statement of fact. She isn't telling OTHER pie vendors they shouldn't accept food stamps. She isn't telling anyone what they should or should not purchase with their food stamps.

She has simply said, I don't believe the food I make is what the food stamp program was intended for. Therefore, I don't intend to accept food stamps.

If you disagree, you are free to spend your money elsewhere. She has not been demeaning, demanding or judgmental at any point (based on the info available publicly). Many of those who disagree with her choices regarding payments at her personal business and creations cannot say the same.

Why is that everyone is ready to vilify a program that helps people on a personal level, but they have nothing to say about the rampant corporate welfare that only helps the people who don't need help. EBT fraud is so minor in the overall scheme of all the waste of taxpayers money received by our government. Once again the boogyman stealing from all of us is the little guy. How about the businesses that get tax breaks or subsidies that just about every reputable study has shown costs the taxpayer more than we see back from in taxes generated. Why do we continue to provide farming subsidies for corn when it has been proven that a majority of that money goes not to family farms but to corporate agrobusinesses.

The amount of money we spend on corporate welfare far surpasses the money spent to help Americans survive in an increasingly unfair and tilted game of life. There is no doubt about it we are living in a country that is divided by class and the top 1-5% are clearly winning. They have successfully convinced all of use middle class rubes that with hard work we can some day be one of them. They have also successfully convinced you, the illeducated, mouthbreathing, unwashed that the people below you are the real problem they are the ones stealing from you. They are the reason why you taxes are so HIGH!! Not the simple fact that the top 1% do not carry their fair share. Mr Romney & Mr Ryan know this and they are playing you like a fiddle.

Enjoy the music!!!

Thank You Donna Ingemanson,for your praise of the person using their ebt benifits 2 support our local farmers markets,bless them 4 providing the highest quality food in our communities...i have a small amt/of ebt food only benifits wich are apprx.1/3 of my food bill ea,mth.ebt cardholders are in the lowest income bracket & some times it's very depressing not having something 2 share w/your loved ones,like a friend,relative who helped support u w/ love or a meal @ the end of the mth when they knew u would have nothing to look foward to...or bring a uplifting offering like pie 2 a cookout or social invite becomes a highlight esp,uplifting treats is a way 2 feel normal again...someone who shops in the farmers mkt.is already eating pretty healthy & deserves any reward that will balance out their lives & add back some joy....god bless you all who are compassionate & see the bigger picture by not discriminating or judging anyone by what they are buying,we need 2 change the laws if ppl can buy other than food but please do not make the card holders suffer any more than they do already.yes i have noticed others like me who have splurged on meat or a luxury the 1st 10 days then suffer the rest of the mth,so it's like u live for those 1st.10 days may seem insane but their is an underlying sadness,desperation behind it all)...may your businesses/lives be rewarded in abundant happiness & prosperous blessings,all u compassionate souls i THANK YOU for your kindness 2 all humanity......}i{

She is clearly discriminating. I hope that the owners are never in a position to be on EBT and face the stigma associated with it.

I will now discriminate against Ever so humble and refuse to buy anything from this company. And, are they saying that their food is not "real food" and should not be purchased. I've bought one in the past and the fact is their pies are not that good.

Accepting EBT cards or food stamps is not compulsory. It is an option presented to vendors. For whatever reason, the vendor has the right to refuse to accept them for payment. And is not obligated to give a reason!

I am plenty fiscally conservative and am all about cutting out any and all wastes from the system that is supported by OUR money. When it comes to the ridiculous things like nail salons and spas and cigarettes etc I am 100% behind that. Those things should not be paid for. But for the love of God man, pie at a farmers market? The poor are often blasted for eating so poorly and that is fair because we pay their doctors bills but should we really discourage someone in need from going to a farmers market? Farmers markets have healthy food and support the community and I think its absurd to tell someone going to the right place that they can't have that. And I understand what Deborah is saying. We can cut out the absurd but don't need to be so extreme that we take away people's dignity. There are absolutely lazy people who scam the system but it is not fair to assume everyone is like that. Plenty of poor people are honest hardworking folks in a tough situation that deserve a little help and some dignity along with it. This fiscal conservative has no problem with their tax dollars letting someone buy a damn pie, for themselves or anyone else.

In Plymouth, the market manager also sells the tokens to people with credit or debit cards, since many farmers and producers don't accept plastic. How does this baker know whether the tokens are from a huge company charging me 29 percent interest or from a program meant to make sure kids eat healthy food? I know several people (including several life-long Republicans) who use food stamps to buy groceries. If anything items like soda shouldn't be purchased with food stamps.

Also, I consider pie (and chocolate buns) to be a major food group, but I'm a Yankee and I eat pie for breakfast!

To Tyler Seguin. There are many Democrats in that 1%. But most Democrats in that 1% generally understand their obligation to betterment and over all health of our shared society by contributing a little more when they can afford to do so. It doesn't help even the 1% when the remaining 99% are in the situation that to many Americans are in right now. The rich and the hopeful rich never do it on their own. Unless you inherited your wealth you've have taken advantage of some aspect of what our government and shared sacrifices of all inhabitants of the USA have given to amass your fortune.

You of anyone should understand that since I'm sure you spent many of your formative years taking advantage of ice time on a taxpayer paid for rink. Which if you hadn't you most likely not would be playing in the NHL and would not be a wealthy man.

this baker should not be allowed to be a vendor at a Farmers' Market. It is nobody's business which foods a person on food stamps buys. What, if you are poor you cannot eat pie? I saw one comment which put buying pie in with true luxury foods like lobster; really?? maybe folks on foodstamps should be forced to put an additive in the food so it is not enjoyable, would that be enuf punishment for participating in the DTA program? I organized the first Farmers' Market in Somerville, 1979. We had to set up in an area reachable by low income families because bringing fresh nutritious food to impoverished city folks was one of the main purposes of the Farmers' Market movement.

First off wow.

For veryone screaming "This Baker shouldnt be allowed to do business in braintree!"
Get a FREAKIN Grip. This is a capitalistic country, she can choose to do business with EBT cards or not. Should a business that doesnt accept debit or credit be vilified to?. Simply do not do business with them. Its that easy.

Second of all, learn some basic nutritional facts. ANY sort of pie is not a healthy food. There was little to no nutritional value in ANY pie, even if it is gluten free. Im assuming those of you who say that they're healthy are the same ones that order 2 Big Macs and a "Diet" coke because you're "watching" your calories.

Honestly, get a friggin grip, you over sensitive un, evolved primates. You sicken me.

@Anita you are right! That is the whole purpose of the farmer's market to bring the farm to the city, so everyone can enjoy it. I can not understand why in the world it would be anyone's business if a person using EBT wanted to buy a stupid frozen pie! Since when is it a luxury to purchase a freaking pie, and who the hell do you think you are to dictate what someone buys with food stamps? This turned in to a conversation about EBT fraud and using government money to purchase cigarettes and the likes! The point is lost here. The whole point is some one was denied food because they are poor lets not forget it, it was not ms. Tabors business to say what she said, she has the right to say I do not accept EBT cards only cash that's her choice. She didn't have to tell that person she couldn't purchase because she was on welfare there's a difference! She discriminated against someone based on their income and for that she is wrong.

PATRICE MICHELE - FOOD STAMPS ARE PAID FOR BY PUBLIC DOLLARS. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT WHAT SHOULD AND SHOULDN'T BE PURCHASED. FIRST AMENDMENT.

WHAT A LIBERAL LIKE YOU THINKS. - IF YOU DON'T AGREE TO SPEND ALL TAXES ON SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND AGREE WITH YOUR BELIEFS WE MUST BE A BIGGOT, RACIST, ELITIST. YOU ARE SO BOARING. SAME LIBERAL WASTE. ARE YOU A CITIZEN???

Comments that use abusive language will be deleted. Please keep the discussion civil.

I think so many are missing the point...Ms. Taber is saying that her pies have a lot of sugar, fats and other ingredietns that are not necessarily healthy for people. Do you know too that potatoe chips and soda are classified as foods in the Food Stamp Program??? First Lady Michelle Obama is trying to get students and the general population to eat healthy. Maybe the Food Stamp Program should be revised
to read "buy potatoes, juice, milk" not chips and soda, which by the way are usually classified as junk food and empty calories. I thought the Farmer's Markets were for produce, for healthy living.
M.C. Rudman

I think Ms. Taber needs to mind her own business and then go out of business. If you live in that area ....Boycott her place.

WWII - Nazi - ??!!! Give me a break. I told you. If we dont agree with you we must be a horrible person or a bigot or racist!! We are talking about abuse of a good program. I am all for giving assistance to people in need. Being on government assistance does not give you cart blanch to take that money and do what you want with it. The WIC program is one that is a great program. It allows for health foods to be purchased. Milk, eggs, juice, cereal. But i'm sorry if you feel that this is too restrictive. I for one would like to hear the justification on why we feel that EBT cards can be used to get a tattoo, used at nail salons, liquor stores, buy lottery tickets and shops that are what I consider expensive. I get my underwear at target or walmart and not victoria secrets at 15 dollars a pair. When you see the politicians on TV defending these purchases - they just bought one more vote on the backs of the hard working people of the commonwealth. One local pol said "well, what if a woman was going for a job interview - she wants her nails to look good" I say go down to CVS, buy the 5 dollar bottle of polish and paint your nails. But I guess I must be a NAZI because that would be such a hardship on someone to do. To require EBT users to make smart purchases and educate them on being fiscally conservative with our tax dollars is a step in the right direction for everyone. But I must be a NAZI. Please educate me on why there are these ridiculous allowances.

If it is the policy of the Farmer's Market to accept EBT cards, all vendors should have to abide by that policy. I also have no problem with someone who is on the SNAP program once in a while getting something like a pie or cake to treat their family. This woman must not have ever been through that type of situation herself, needing help to feed her loved ones.

I am not familiar with what foods are in compliance with the EBT payment system. However, I do know that every business in the Commonwealth is allowed to pick what form of payment they will except and what their return policy is. If the Baker only excepts CASH --then that is her business policy. She is not discriminating if that is truly HER BUSINESS POLICY. If you don't have cash FOR WHATEVER REASON GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. And by the way, I am a PROUD "LIBERAL"!!!! WHO IS SICK OF THE LABELING, NAME CALLING AND LUMPING PEOPLE TOGETHER!!!

I think the most important thing that people are overlooking here is that pie is awesome. Jesus would have given the people two pies instead of nasty fish and bread except that it would have screwed up the space/time continuum and thrown humanity into chaos.
If this conversation is going to be about who has the right to pie and who gets to decide what we do with our tax dollars, I nominate myself as arbitrator and here is my solution:

Pie for Everyone!

Once a week, a government truck brings you a pie regardless of income or social status. If you have an address, you get a pie. If you don't have an address, you go to your local pie distribution center and you get a pie.
This program is easy to pay for. The infrastructure for delivery and distribution is already there and available as the post office has very little to do these days and the cost of the pies can be offset by selling off a few fighter jets that are just sitting around in favor of drones anyway.

Now that everyone get's pie, it doesn't matter if you can buy them with EBT or not.

There, problem solved. You are welcome.

As a farmer, I totally understand choosing not to take food stamps. Every year I received a notice from Sacramento, 8 hours away, telling me I had to attend at my expense, a mandatory education meeting in re how to accept food stamps. Just too much work, and another layer of paper work in an already 12 hour day doing markets. I don't work markets anymore, and it might be workable for me to accept EBT now because I'm not working miserable, 80 hour workweeks, but it wasn't back then. I couldn't have done one more thing. There were days when I didn't bother to tie my shoes, I was just so dog tired. Farming is tough! The venom directed at that poor baker astounds me. The last time I checked it's a free country. There are gas stations that don't accept anything but cash, but no one calls them ugly names. No one sees them discriminating against credit cards or EBT payments there. No, but the farmer, she's a piece of dung. Really?