Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Photos from the Athens County Farmers Market

Photos from the Morgan County Farmers Market

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Expands to Athens and Morgan Counties in 2007

The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA program in which grants are awarded to States, U.S. Territories, and Indian tribal governments to provide coupons to low-income seniors (not more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines) who are at least 60 years of age.  These SFMNP coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.                                                                             

The purpose of the SFMNP is to:

(1)   Provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs to low-income seniors;

(2)   Increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs, and;

(3)   Develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs.

For Fiscal Years 2002 to 2007, USDA awarded $15 million in grants to 46 States, the District of Columbia, 6 Indian Tribal Organizations, and Puerto Rico.   Of that $15 million, the state of Ohio received $1,192,310 in FY2005 and served approximately 18,300 participants.  The Area Agency on Aging, District 8, has participated for the last four years.  Two years ago, the program expanded beyond Noble County to Monroe County.  Last year, the program again expanded to Morgan and Athens Counties.   Our partners include: GMN in Noble and Monroe Counties; Athens Department of Jobs and Family Services in Athens County; and Morgan County Office on Aging/OSU Extension Office in Morgan County.   In 2006, AAA8 was awarded $29,245 dollars and served 116 seniors in Noble County, 119 seniors in Monroe County, 294 seniors in Athens County, and 127 seniors in Morgan County.

 For the upcoming growing season in 2007, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program will be administered under new federal regulations passed December 12, 2006.  Waiting lists will be mandated and funding will first go to the programs currently in existence, then to current programs with participant waiting lists, and finally for expansion into new counties.  Since 90% of USDA Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program grant funds must be used to support the cost of the produce, the Area Agency on Aging and their partners must make in-kind administrative and financial commitments to endorse this USDA program, and ultimately, to serve those needy seniors living in their communities.