California Department of Food and Agriculture

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

ABOUT THE SENIOR FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a 100 percent federally funded program which provides low-income seniors with check booklets that can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herb and honey at Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFM).

The program is administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services Agency, and in California, by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

CDFA has partnered with California Department of Public Health’s Women, Infants and Children's Program (WIC) in certifying farmers and CFMs to accept SFMNP check booklets. Annually CDFA provides seniors check booklets to redeem with 1,000 farmers at 500 CFMs.

HOW TO BECOME A SFMNP PARTICIPANT

CDFA partners with California’s 32 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to distribute the SFMNP check booklets which include 5 checks redeemable for $4 each. The AAAs serve this purpose well because they administer several senior programs on a local level either directly or through their affiliation with senior organizations and centers.

If you’re interested in receiving a SFMNP check booklet, please contact your Local Area Agency on Aging based on the county you live in.

California’s SFMNP begins in May and runs through the end of November.

USDA FNS NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is an equal opportunity provider. Full USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (in English and Spanish).