About the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The SFMNP is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). It awards grants to States, U.S. Territories and Federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) to provide low- income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. The majority of grant funds must be used for benefits. State agencies may use up to 10 percent of their grants for program administrative costs.
The purposes of the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program are to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey through farmers’ markets, roadside stands and CSA programs to low-income seniors; and increase the consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding, developing, or aiding in the development and expansion of domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs.
Low-income seniors, generally defined as individuals who are at least 60 years old and who have household incomes of not more than 185% of the Federal poverty income guidelines are the targeted recipients of SFMNP benefits. Some State agencies accept proof of participation or enrollment in another means-tested program, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for SFMNP eligibility.
See more information on FNS's SFMNP site.
