Farmers Market Nutrition Program Overview
The purpose of the New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs is to promote local farmers by expanding their sales at farmers’ markets and farm stands, and to foster healthy communities through the consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
FMNP does this through the promotion of fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers so they may expand their sales through New York State farmers markets and farm stands. FMNP also promotes improving the nutrition of families enrolled in WIC and low-income seniors through eating more fresh, local fruits and vegetables. The program is also intended to encourage economic development in communities through the promotion and expansion of farmers’ markets and farm stands in New York State. Consumers who are eligible for these programs are provided with coupons to use for fresh, local fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets, farm stands, and mobile markets in New York State. Information on how to use the coupons may be found online in the following languages: English, Arabic , Italian , Korean , Polish , Chinese , Yiddish , Spanish , Haitian Creole , Russian , and Bengali .
How Do I Participate In This Program
Santa Clara County residents can contact Sourcewise at 350-3200, option 1 to learn how to participate. To best serve Santa Clara County residents, Sourcewise distributes all SFMNP voucher booklets at senior and community centers throughout Santa Clara County.
SFMNP vouchers are distributed on a firstcome, first-serve basis.
Eligible participants receive a $20 valued booklet of SFMNP vouchers to be used at participating farmers markets and roadside stands. SFMNP vouchers are valid during harvest season, which is June through November of the current year.
How do I know where I can use my vouchers?
In partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture , Sourcewise provides you with a list of certified farmers markets in Santa Clara County.
A list of participating farmers markets and roadside stands is provided to each recipient of SFMNP vouchers.
Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The program provides a once annual benefit to low-income seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and honey from certified farmers at Farmers Markets in Kansas.
Read Also: Brookdale Senior Living Employee Website
Freshconnect Benefits For Veterans And Service Members
If you are a veteran, service member, or an immediate family member of a veteran or service member, please call the New York State Division of Veterans Services at for more information on how to obtain FreshConnect Checks.
You may be eligible to receive FreshConnect Checks through the Division of Veterans Services offices on a first come, first served basis, while supplies are available. You can then shop with these FreshConnect Checks at farmers markets or farm stands in New York State, and redeem them for any SNAP eligible food items. Complete instructions on using FreshConnect Checks are on the front of each check.
Complete instructions on using the FreshConnect Checks are on the front of the check and part of the webinar training.
Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Gives seniors and families coupons to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.
Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons offer current WIC participants over 4 months old, and low-income Seniors, with coupons that can be used to buy fresh vegetables and fruits at approved farmers markets and farmstands in Massachusetts. Scroll down and click on “Check Eligibility” to learn about how and where to access Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons. If you are on SNAP, you are able to get a $1 to $1 match on fruit and vegetable purchases year-round. Check out mass.gov/hip for more information. Looking for locations to use your farmers’ market coupons? Scroll down and Click on Find a Location to Use Coupons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides funding for this program with a required state match.
Don’t Miss: Cheapest Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
What If I Need Support
Caregivers or family members may purchase produce with the SFMNP vouchers on behalf of an eligible participant. No cash change will be issued for purchases that are in an amount less than the value of the voucher, and no State or local taxes will be collected on purchases of food with checks. SFMNP vouchers have a cash value of $4 each and come in books of $20 . Caregivers or family members may sign up as a proxy for one eligible individual. Bring your completed Proxy form or obtain one at a designated SFMNP distribution location.
Santa Clara County residents can contact Sourcewise at 350-3200, option 1 to learn how to participate.
Am I Eligible For Wic
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Read Also: Tax Deductions For Seniors 2021
North Carolina Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The NC Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides eligible low-income older adults with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at their local farmers’ markets. The program is designed to improve the nutrition of older adults and increase business for local farmers.
The 45 North Carolina counties with participating markets are highlighted in green on the map. Below is information that can be downloaded about the program.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2022 program. Please follow us on or to receive updates about next years growing season. Remember, if you have participated in the program in the past, you must re-apply each year. We will not automatically re-enroll you in the program from year-to-year.
The United States Department of Agriculture Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides fresh, nutritious, unprepared locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey through farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs.
Also Check: Ca State Parks Pass For Seniors
How Does The Program Work
Eligible seniors who apply receive 10, $5 coupons to redeem during the growing season at participating farmers markets. All coupons expire October 31, 2022.
Coupons for the 2022 program will be mailed to applicants who qualify beginning in May. If you are applying after May, you can expect your coupons to arrive in the mail in approximately two weeks. In addition to the coupons, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to redeem the coupons and a list of participating markets.
We will not notify you if you have been approved, you will only receive the coupons. If you do not qualify, we will send you a letter to let you know.
The health and safety of our seniors is very important and we urge all seniors to follow CDC guidelines related to COVID-19 safety.
Fmnp Benefits For Seniors
If you are a senior who lives in New York State, and are low-income, you may be eligible to receive Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons.
Seniors who are eligible for this program receive a booklet with SFMNP coupons that can only be used to purchase local, fresh, unprocessed vegetables and fruits at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands. Seniors must contact their local county Office for the Aging for more information about where to receive SFMNP coupons. The program starts July 1 and coupons are distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Information on how to use the coupons may be found online in the following languages: English, Arabic , Italian , Korean , Polish , Chinese , Yiddish , Spanish , Haitian Creole , Russian , and Bengali .
Also Check: Always Best Senior Care Services
Community Supported Agriculture Box
At certain partnering locations, seniors may receive Community Supported Agriculture boxes in lieu of SFMNP vouchers. Each CSA box is valued at $10-$15 and consists of Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables. Participating seniors will receive the full $50 in value of produce in 3 to 5 installments of CSAs.
The number of SFMNP vouchers or CSA boxes issuance may vary each year according to available funding. Qualifying seniors may pick up the vouchers at authorized farmers markets and farm stands between February 1st to and September 30th. However, please note some farmers markets and farm stands have seasonal closures. For up-to-date information on all authorized sites locations and hours, please visit www.azfmnp.org.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Department of Aging partners with area agencies on aging to offer the in 81 counties. Participants receive benefits to be redeemed for Ohio-grown fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and honey. Some restrictions apply.
You are eligible for the Ohio Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program if:
- You are age 60 or older,
- You live in one of the 81 counties that participate in the program, and
- You have a household income that falls within certain guidelines.
Your local program contact at your can help you determine your eligibility. Call 1-866-243-5678 to be connected to the agency serving your community.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is made possible by funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, state and local funding.
Recommended Reading: Best Rechargeable Hearing Aids For Seniors
S To Receive Benefits:
Step 1:Potential recipients must reside in the State of South Carolina and attend a distribution event in their county of residence.
Step 2:Complete the application IN-PERSON at an approved location. Eligibility determination can consist of application approved, application referred to waiting list, or application denial. Proof of identity must be shown in order to apply for benefit. Applicants must self-declare annual gross income and household size, whether applying jointly or individually.
Step 3: Once application is approved, receive SFMNP checks at same location. Proof of identity must be shown in order to pick up SFMNP checks.
Applicants may designate an Authorized Representative to apply on his/her behalf if the senior is unable to apply in-person. An AR may apply and pick up SFMNP checks on behalf of a maximum of two individuals in addition to themselves. An AR must present their own photo ID, copy of the applicants I.D. , and written/signed permission.
Step 4: Purchase fresh fruits & vegetables from authorized farmers. A listing of authorized farmers will be provided at pickup. Eligible participants will receive 5 SFMNP checks worth $5.00 each for a total benefit of $25.00 that can be used at participating farmers market to purchase fresh, locally grown produce.
To use the S.C. Farmers and Roadside Market App, visit .
Senior Farmers Market Bulk Purchase Program
The SFMNP has switched from senior coupons to a produce box delivery model in 2022 to maximize the number of programmatic benefits provided to both eligible RI seniors and local farms every year. To learn more about how you can be involved with the SFMNP, please see the most appropriate section below.
Recommended Reading: City Of Chicago Senior Services
Fmnp Benefits For Wic Participants
Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to the age of five, who are enrolled in the New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children , are eligible to receive WIC FMNP coupons. These coupons can only be used at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands to purchase local, fresh, unprocessed vegetables and fruit.
Information on how to use the coupons may be found online in the following languages: English, Arabic , Italian , Korean , Polish , Chinese , Yiddish , Spanish , Haitian Creole , Russian , and Bengali .
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Is Designed To Provide Low
Every year, Hawaii Foodbank partners with the State of Hawaii Office of Community Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to organize the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Hawaiis SFMNP offers eligible seniors $50 worth of coupons to obtain eligible foods without charge from participating farmers, farmers markets and roadside stands that have been approved to accept SFMNP coupons. Through SFMNP, kpuna are provided with nutritious foods as well as education to emphasize the relationship of proper nutrition to good health.
The 2022 SFMNP will begin in April 2022.
Applications will be mailed out to previous participants in mid March 2022. If you are new to the program and would like to apply, you can find a link to the application below.
Recommended Reading: Part-time Jobs For Seniors At Home
Freshconnect Benefits For Snap Participants
If you are a recipient of SNAP benefits and wish to use those benefits at a farmers market, find a participating market.
You may also visit SNAP-to-Market for more information about SNAP benefits at farmers markets. While at a participating farmers market, you may be eligible to receive FreshConnect Checks in addition to your SNAP benefit. For every $5 in SNAP benefits a customer exchanges for wooden tokens, the manager may issue a $2 FreshConnect Check. This check may be spent at the market on any SNAP eligible food item.
To find out more about the SNAP program, visit the NYS Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, and check out this list of resources.
How To Apply
- To participate, sign-up at the local older adult center or congregate meal site.
- Older adults who meet the following eligibility requirements can apply for coupon booklets:
- Are 60 years of age or older and earning either
- $2,096/month or
- $2,823/month or
If an older adult meets both the age and income eligibility, he/she may do one of the following:
- Contact 311 for the older adult center closest to their home
- Go online to 311 and search for an older adult center or congregate meal site
- Visit www.nyc.gov/aging for a list of distribution sites
Recommended Reading: Flip Cell Phones For Seniors