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Overview
What is the SFMNP?
The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) awards grants to
States, United States Territories, and federally-recognized Indian
tribal governments to provide low-income seniors with coupons that can
be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands,
and community supported agriculture programs. The majority of the grant
funds must be used to support the costs of the foods that are provided
under the SFMNP; State agencies may use up to 10 percent of their grants
to support administrative costs for the program.
What is the purpose of the SFMNP?
The purposes of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program are 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 support agriculture programs, and
(3) Develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers'
markets, roadside stands, and community support agriculture programs.
Who is eligible for SFMNP benefits?
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 (published each year by the
Department of Health and Human Services), 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 or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, for SFMNP
eligibility.
When does the SFMNP operate?
SFMNP benefits are provided to eligible recipients for use
during the harvest season. In some States, the SFMNP season is
relatively short, because the growing season in that area is not very
long. In other States with longer growing seasons, recipients have a
longer period of time in which to use their SFMNP benefits.
How does the SFMNP operate?
Once the SFMNP benefits have been issued to eligible seniors, they can
be used to purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits,
vegetables, and herbs at authorized farmers' markets, roadside stands,
and community supported agriculture programs. In 2006, these products
were available to 825,691 low-income seniors from 14,575 farmers at
2,911 farmers' markets as well as 2,323 roadside stands and 260
community supported agriculture programs.
What foods are available through the SFMNP?
Fresh, nutritious, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and fresh-cut
herbs can be purchased with SFMNP benefits. State agencies may limit
SFMNP sales to specific foods that are locally grown in order to
encourage SFMNP recipients to support the farmers in their own States.
Certain foods are not eligible for purchase with SFMNP benefits;
these include dried fruits or vegetables, such as prunes (dried plums),
raisins (dried grapes), sun-dried tomatoes or dried chili peppers.
Potted fruit or vegetable plants, potted or dried herbs, wild rice, nuts
of any kind (even raw), honey, maple syrup, cider, and molasses are also
not allowed.
Who has administrative responsibility for the SFMNP?
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers the SFMNP grants.
What is the current funding level?
Congress authorized $15 million for the SFMNP through 2007.
If you have other
questions for FNS, email us at wichq-web@fns.usda.gov
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