Provides low-income seniors with coupons
that can be exchanged at authorized farmers’ markets, roadside
stands or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs for fresh
fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Works to 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.
Operates in 38 States, 6 tribal
organizations, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
Background
The program was created as a pilot program
in FY 2001; it was established by Congress as a permanent program in
FY 2002 under the Farm Bill, which must be reauthorized for FY 2008.
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service
administers the SFMNP grants.
Grant funds may be used to support both
food and administrative costs: up to 10 percent of a State agency’s
total SFMNP grant may be used as administrative funds.
SFMNP participants’ Federal food benefit
may not be less than $20 or more than $50 per year, per participant,
with certain exceptions allowed for State agencies that are
grandfathered into the permanent program, based on their
participation in FY 2006. State agencies may supplement the per
participant benefit level.
Participants
In FY 2005, 771,285 participating
low-income seniors purchased food from 14,668 farmers at 2,663
farmers’ markets, as well as 2,001 roadside stands, and 237 CSA
programs.
Low-income seniors at least 60 years old
who have household incomes of not more than 185% of the federal
poverty income guidelines ($24,420 for a two-person household as of
July 1, 2006).
