$50 available for eligible seniors

Senior citizens are eligible for $50 to use at local farmer’s markets in Ohio.

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program 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, which provides additional state funds to support SFMNP operation.

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 includes Lawrence County.

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 $50 one time per year and items must be purchased from authorized farmers only.

Please note changes in the process for this year:

• Online applications are currently accessible from the AAA7’s website at www.aaa7.org under the “Happening Now” section on the Home Page.

• Please Note: an application must be completed each year – there is no automatic renewal from participating in the past.

• Completing an online application is advised; however, if you do not have access to the internet, you can request assistance 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.

• Physical benefit cards will be available to those who request them on their application. Please note that it will take up to six (6) weeks to receive the physical card in the mail.

• If you requested a physical card last year, please keep it for this year and future use.

• To avoid delays, it is advised to complete the application online if possible.

• Items can only be purchased from authorized farmers in the program. Farmers will have a posting at their stand indicating so.

• A link to a list of participating farmers can be found on the AAA7’s website Home Page at www.aaa7.org under the “Happening Now” section. The list will be updated throughout the year.

Farmers who are interested in participating in the program 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, contact the OFMN at senior@ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org.