Program Overview
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program of Alabama is for the low income seniors which provides the coupons in exchange of foods which includes fruits, vegetables, honey and fresh cut herbs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has been running SFMNP since 2001. The program now operates from May 1 through November 30th. It is important to note that the senior citizens are more respectable people of society thus providing them with basic necessities are our priority. The food is provided from the farmer markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture (CSA).
The SFMNP is administered by State agencies such as State Departments of Agriculture or Aging, and federally recognized Indian Tribal governments. Not all States operate the SFMNP statewide. The Farm Bill provides federal funding for the program. Ninety percent of federal funds support food costs and 10 percent of federal funds support administrative costs of the program.
Program Objectives
The goal of the Alabama Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is to provide fresh, nutritious, locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from farmers markets and roadside stands to low-income seniors.
The senior farmers’ market nutrition program will provide:
- Low income seniors with food
- Make a friendly environment for senior citizens
- Allow them to have fresh produced at farmers’ markets
- Increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agricultural programs.
- Aid in the development of new and additional farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community support agricultural programs.
- Qualifying seniors may receive SFMNP benefits between $20 and $50 per year, though state agencies may supplement those levels with state, local, or private funds.
Under the SFMNP, recipients receive six checks valued at $5 each, for a total value of $30. These checks are used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Checks are issued to seniors between May 1st and September 30th. These checks can be used between May 1 and November 30th. Through the SFMN program, the senior residents can easily access the approved commodities. The program has almost injected Forty million dollars to the farmer markets per year. This has been effective in subsidizing the development and maintenance of the markets and communities.
The state agencies also supplement the benefit level with the funds available locally, privately or through the state. Individuals who meet the criteria are benefited from the program. The most common locations for the programs are a senior center and housings scattered in Alabama. The SFMNP aims to provide low-income seniors coupons that are exchanged for the food grown locally. This is carried out in the active farmer markets, roadside stalls and the community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.
Eligibility Requirements
To meet the eligibility criteria candidates must be:
- 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 which is U.S. Poverty Guidelines(published each year by the Department of Health and Human Services)
- The household income of the applicant families must not be more than 185 percent of the United States poverty guidelines
- The income eligibility for the program is established through the income guidelines. These guidelines are determined by a specific section of the SFMNP regulations. They are changed annually with the changes in the consumer price index.
- A chart is also available for the SFMNP state agencies for the income limits. It helps them to determine the annual, monthly, bimonthly, biweekly and weekly income limits.
- Some state agencies approve the proof of registration through the means-tested program for eligibility. This includes the commodity supplemental food program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
For the House hold size as per Monthly income must not exceed these limits. Other factors that are taken into account while evaluating the eligibility of the candidate includes the number of members in the household and the total gross income of the household.
Size Of Household | Maximum Monthly Income Level ($) |
1 | 2,248$ |
2 | 3,041$ |
3 | 3,833$ |
4 | 4,625$ |
5 | 5,419$ |
6 | 6,210$ |
The monthly income might differ by the states requirement. It can be more or less than mentioned above. The amount of annual income level might change from time to time depending on the changes in laws and regulations. Signups and coupons are on a first-come basis.
How to Apply
Interested farmers, farmers markets, roadside stands, and CSAs should contact their respective state agencies to find out how they can become authorized to accept SFMNP benefits. More information about participating state administrating agencies and coordinator contact information can be found at the USDA’s website here.
For More Information
Follow the links below SFMNP Income Eligibility, State Agency Contacts. In case of Fraud contact by following this link. You can call us from Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm at Phone: (703) 305-2062. USDA Information Hotline: (202) 720-2791. For the state of Alabama Call at toll free number: 877-774-9519. Visit Benefits by State for more insights.
