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from the National Council on Aging
You may already know about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—an important government-funded benefit that helps income-eligible households afford the food they need to maintain good health. But have you heard about the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)? If you receive food stamps or participate in another means-tested assistance program, you might also qualify for SFMNP.
The SFMNP is another financial resource you can use when it’s time to replenish your fridge.
Each year, the SFMNP helps more than 800,000 low-income older adults purchase fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, herbs, and honey at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs (CSAs). Funded by the Farm Bill, this federal/state partnership provides produce vouchers and nutrition education to participating seniors so they can diversify and improve their diets while learning skills for selecting, storing, and preparing fresh food. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards grants to authorized agencies—such as State Councils on Aging or State Departments of Health—who then administer all aspects of the program including how to apply for senior farmers’ market nutrition program benefits, distributing farmers’ market vouchers, enrolling local selling partners, and designing relevant educational sessions.
It’s important to know that SFMNP is an optional program and not every state participates. Nor does every participating agency offer statewide access. As of Fiscal Year 2023, the period for which the most recent data is available, 57 state agencies, U.S. territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) received FNS grants to fund the SFMNP. You can use the USDA’s Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) contact map to check availability in your area.
>>Continue reading for answers to frequently asked questions about SFMNP.
