As we age, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet becomes increasingly important to support our overall well-being. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a vital component of a nutritious diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, for many senior adults, accessing fresh produce may pose challenges due to various factors such as limited mobility, transportation issues, or living in areas with limited availability. Fortunately there are several avenues and resources available to help senior adults overcome these barriers and ensure they have access to fresh and nutritious produce.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, or SFMNP, is a federally funded program administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Farmers Market Authority Section. The SFMNP helps provide eligible seniors with a $50 benefit card to use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from certified farmers at farmers markets and stands in the state of Alabama.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age – Must be 60 years of age or older on the day of application, AND
• Income – Applicants’ gross household income must not exceed these limits:
  • $2,096 monthly for a household of 1
  • $2,823 monthly for a household of 2

Applicants must apply online at https://agi.alabama.gov/farmersmarket/ . Applications cannot be taken over the phone or by mail. If you have the 2022 Benefits care, you will need your card number to renew that card and submit your application. If eligible and your application submission is completed, a benefit card will be mailed to the address provided on the application for new recipients. Applicants must reapply every year. However, it is important to keep the benefits card since new benefits will be loaded on the card each year after the application is received.

Click here for more information and to see locations of approved Farmers Markets.