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CDFA - Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

CDFA - Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Phone number
(916) 214-1381
Category
Senior
Food
Farmer
Auto tags
Eligibility
Seniors 60+ with limited income (per federal poverty guidelines) in California
Auto Summary
The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally funded program administered by USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. It provides eligible low-income seniors age 60+ with electronic benefit cards to purchase fresh, locally grown produce, herbs, and honey at certified farmers' markets. Benefits run seasonally from May through September.
Value
Free fresh produce from local farmers' markets via electronic benefit card for eligible low-income seniors
Espanol
Programa de Nutrición del Mercado de Agricultores para Personas Mayores (CDFA) - Programa federal que proporciona tarjetas electrónicas de beneficios a personas mayores de 60 años con ingresos limitados para comprar productos frescos y locales en mercados de agricultores certificados. La temporada de beneficios es de mayo a septiembre.
URL
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/SeniorFarmersMrktNutritionPrgm/
The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally funded program administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Services Agency and in California, by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
The goal of the California SFMNP is to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown produce, cut herbs, and raw honey through Certified Farmers' Markets to low-income seniors.

Program Update

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sfmnp ebt card
The SFMNP is going electronic! Starting in 2025, SFMNP benefits will be provided to eligible seniors on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, called a Farmers' Market Card, instead of paper checks. Some benefits of using cards are:
  • Flexible shopping: Purchases can be made in any dollar amount.
  • Benefit protection: Lost or stolen cards can be replaced.
  • Benefit tracking: Check your benefit balance by creating an account on the Participant Portal.

Overview of the Electronic Transaction System

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sfmnp overview

What's next?

CDFA will continue to update this website with more information about electronic benefits as the 2025 SFMNP season approaches.

Find Out If You're Eligible to Participate

SFMNP Food benefits are provided to individuals 60 years of age and older who are on a limited income (see table below), allowing access to fresh produce from local farmers' markets. Qualified senior recipients may receive only one card per season, which runs from May-September. Quantities are limited.
Eligibility Guidelines

Where Can I Apply to Receive an SFMNP Benefit?

CDFA partners with the Local Area Agencies on Aging (Local Agencies) throughout California. The Local Agencies help issue Farmers' Market Cards to eligible seniors at select distribution sites statewide.
Contact your county's Local Agency today to find out where SFMNP benefits will be distributed near you.
List of Local Agencies by county

At Which Farmers' Markets Can I Use My SFMNP Benefits?

You can use your Farmers' Market Card at any WIC Authorized Farmers' Market listed in the linked file below or by visiting the WIC Famers' Markets Location page. Dates and times of the markets are subject to change. Please contact our office if you need further information.
List of Authorized Markets to Redeem SFMNP Checks

USDA FNS Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is an equal opportunity provider.