The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally-funded program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services Agency and in Ohio, by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA). ODA provides additional state funds to support SFMNP operation within Ohio.
To be eligible for $50 to use with authorized farmers in the program, individuals must live in the ten counties included in the AAA7’s district which include Adams, Brown Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. Individuals must be age 60 or over at the time of application and households must earn less than 185% of the poverty level. In a household, both spouses can be eligible separately. Individuals can only receive the $50 one time per year and items must be purchased from authorized farmers only.
NEW UPDATES FOR 2024
This year’s application process is different from previous years – those eligible for the program now have the option to use a mobile application or a physical card to obtain nutritious produce at farmers markets across the state. Traditionally, participants received their benefits in the form of printed coupons in units of $5. Through the new app-based model, participants can use their benefits in in any increment they choose, creating more flexibility and giving more power to older Ohioans.
Please note changes in the process for this year:
- Online applications can be accessed here
- Everyone who received coupons last year through the AAA7 will automatically be sent via postal mail a hard copy application. To avoid delays, please complete the application online if possible. If not, complete the hard copy application and mail back to the AAA7.
- For anyone who has not participated in the past, completing an online application is advised; however, if you do not have access to the internet, you can request a hard copy application from the AAA7 – call the AAA7 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program direct line at 1-800-343-8112 or email FarmersMarket@aaa7.org.
- If you apply online, please note that only one email can be used per account.
- To avoid delays, it is advised to complete the application online if possible.
- Please Note: an application must be completed each year – there is no automatic renewal from participating in the past.
- Items can only be purchased from authorized farmers in the program. Farmers will have a posting at their stand indicating so.
PARTICIPATING FARMERS LIST - Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) - Ohio Farmers Market Network
Farmers in AAA7 District
- Adams County - Dogwood Hill Farm, LLC, 520 Wallace Road, Peebles - Monday through Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (participates in Adams County Farmers Market)
- Brown County - Carroll's Farm Market, State Route 68, Mt. Orab - Monday through Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Brown County - Carroll's Farm Market, State Route 125, Hamersville - Monday through Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Brown County - Ernst Family Farm (participates in Batavia Farmers Market)
- Highland County - Blue Ribbon Farm, 5459 Blue Ribbon Road, Hillsboro - Daily 8:00 am - 8:00 pm (participates in Hillsboro Farmers Market)
- Highland County - West Family Produce - find more information on Facebook
- Jackson County - Austin's Garden Patch (participates in Jackson Farmers Market)
- Jackson County - Double Long Run Farm - find more information on Facebook
- Lawrence County - Bodimers Country Store, 219 State Street, Proctorville - Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Lawrence County - George's Produce, 4002 State Route 93, Ironton - Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (participates in Ironton Farmers Market)
- Pike County - Way Farms, 403 East Emmitt Avenue, Waverly - Monday through Saturday (May through October) 10:00 am - 5:30 pm (participates in Chillicothe Farmers Market)
- Ross County - Hirsh Fruit Farm, 41 Seney Road, Chillicothe - Monday through Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (participates in Hilliard Farm Market, Upper Arlington Farmers Market, Bexley Farmers Market and Chillicothe Farmers Market)
- Ross County - Hirsch Fruit Farm, 12846 State Route 772, Chillicothe - Monday through Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Ross County - Williams Honey Bees - find more information on their website - https://www.williamshoneybees.com/
- Scioto County - Fuhrmann Orchards, LLC, 510 Hansgen Morgan Road, Wheelersburg - Monday through Friday (July through December 24th) 8:00 am - 6:00 pm and Sunday (July through December 24th) 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (participates in Main Street Portsmouth Farmers Market, Westerville Saturday Farmers Market and Boyd County KY Farmers Market)
***Please Note: Benefits can be used statewide with participating farmers. Click on the "Participating Farmers List" link above to see all farmers who are participating throughout Ohio.***
INFORMATION FOR INTERESTED FARMERS
Farmers who are interested in participating in the program this year will be working directly with the Ohio Department of Aging through its partner, Ohio Farmers Market Network (OFMN). If you are a farmer interested in learning more about participating, please contact the OFMN at senior@ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE AAA7 SENIOR FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM
Direct Hotline: 1-800-343-8112
Email: FarmersMarket@aaa7.org