Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The purposes of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) are to: (1) provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs from farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community

The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) awards grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and Indian Tribal Organizations, to provide low-income seniors with benefits (e.g., checks, coupons, and electronic benefits) that can be exchanged for fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh-cut herbs at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSAs.

State agency means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). State agencies may include State Agriculture Departments, Agencies on Aging, or Health Departments, and ITOs. Local agencies are nonprofit entities or local government agencies that certify eligible participants, issue SFMNP food benefits, arrange for distribution of eligible foods through CSA) programs, and/or provide nutrition education. Each State agency desiring to administer the SFMNP must annually submit a State Plan of Operations and enter into a written agreement with FNS for the program's administration in the State agency's jurisdiction. New State agencies are selected based on the availability of funds after prior year grant levels for currently participating State agencies have been met. Participating State agencies select local agencies based on the concentration of eligible senior participants and access to farmers' markets.

Persons eligible for the program are income eligible seniors, generally defined as individuals who are at least 60 years old and have household incomes of not more than 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines published each year by the Department of Health and Human Services. Some State agencies accept proof of participation or enrollment in another means-tested program, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for SFMNP eligibility. Individual participants apply for SFMNP benefits at authorized SFMNP local agencies.

The SFMNP is administered through a federal/State agency partnership in which the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards cash grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and ITOs, to provide income eligible seniors with benefits that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSAs. The majority of grant funds must be used for food benefits. State agencies may use up to 10 percent of their grants for program administrative costs. Benefits are issued to eligible SFMNP participants to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, or CSAs authorized by the State agency to accept SFMNP benefits. The federal SFMNP benefit level, whether a household or individual, may not be less than $20 or no more than $50 per year per recipient. However, State agencies may also supplement the federal benefit level with State, local, or private funds.

The SFMNP is administered through a federal/State agency partnership in which the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards cash grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and ITOs, to provide income eligible seniors with benefits that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSAs. The majority of grant funds must be used for food benefits. State agencies may use up to 10 percent of their grants for program administrative costs. Benefits are issued to eligible SFMNP participants to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, or CSAs authorized by the State agency to accept SFMNP benefits. The federal SFMNP benefit level, whether a household or individual, may not be less than $20 or no more than $50 per year per recipient. However, State agencies may also supplement the federal benefit level with State, local, or private funds.

SFMNP funds are allocated to State agencies annually and available through September 30 of the fiscal year. State agencies may withdraw funds only as needed. SFMNP American Rescue Plan Act grant funds are available for up to two years, depending on project timeline. Obligations must occur within the specified award period.

Application is made through submission of a State Plan of Operations as required by program regulations.

Covered by the federal state agreement and a state plan of operations.

SFMNP funds are awarded by the Department on the basis of funding formulas to State agencies. If the available funds are insufficient to meet the prior year grant levels for previously participating State agencies, then a pro-rata reduction is applied to grant levels above $75,000. If additional funds become available for the SFMNP, such funds are distributed pro-rata among current grantees to meet their prior year grant levels for that fiscal year. Grant payments are made by a letter of credit. SFMNP American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants were non-competitive grants. The FNS National Office reviewed and approved applications to award $50 million in SFMNP ARPA grant to 47 participating SFMNP State agencies during FY 2023.

By November 15 of each year, each applying or participating State agency shall submit to FNS for approval a State Plan of Operations for the following year as a prerequisite to receiving federal funds.

FNS will provide written approval or denial of a completed State Plan of Operations or amendment within 30 days of receipt. Approval determination for SFMNP American Rescue Plan Act funding requests will be made approximately 30 to 90 days from the date of application submission.

This Program is authorized beginning October 1 of any calendar year and ending September 30 of the following calendar year.

All decisions by FNS are final.