Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The 2025 SFMNP Season is Closed as of 10/31/2025!

We are no longer accepting applications and benefits expire as of October 31st, 2025. If you would like to participate in the 2026 season, check back in late Spring of 2026 to re-apply or for more information.

Please note: The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program requires participants to re-apply each year. A new benefits card will be sent out each year as well, so the 2024 & 2025 cards can be thrown away or recycled.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is designed to improve the nutritional health of low income seniors by providing them with an electronic benefit card that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from certified farmers markets. Educational information about the benefits, selection, storage, and preparation of fresh foods is also provided to participants.

If you have questions about this program, please call the ALTCEW SFMNP Hotline at 509-477-4442. Download our 2025 SFMNP Tri-Fold Brochure here!

Check back in late Spring 2026 for updates on 2026 season!

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP):

Provides benefits to lower-income, older adults to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs.
Supports local farming by increasing the use of farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture. Delivered produce is also purchased directly from farmers.

**2025 Participant Eligibility (Updated income limits for 2026 are not available at this time.)**

You must be 60 years old or older (55+ if you are Native American/Alaska Native)
Your income must be below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. This means:
1. $28,953 Annual or $2,413 Monthly Income for 1 person
2. $39,128 Annual or $3,261 Monthly Income for 2 people
3. For larger households, add $848 per month for each additional person
You must be a resident of Washington State (and reside in the county served by each distributing agency)

Who do I contact with questions about SFMNP benefits?

Spokane County
- Call Catholic Charities Eastern Washington at 509-459-6163 or email SFMNP@cceasternwa.org.
Pend Oreille, Stevens, and Northern Ferry Counties
- Call Rural Resources Community Action at 509-685-6054.
Whitman County
- Call Council on Aging & Human Services at 509-397-4305.

Frequently Asked Questions:

CLICK HERE for the 2025 SFMNP FAQ Sheet (Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Marshallese new!)

(Amharic, Arabic, Cambodian/Khmer, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese) CLICK HERE

When can I use my SFMNP benefits?

The SFMNP market season is from June 1st through October 31st each year.

How much produce can I get?

Each successful applicant will receive a standard benefit of $80 via an electronic benefit card, which can be used for purchasing produce at participating farmers market locations.

How do I use my SFMNP benefits?

Vendors will scan your card and participants will enter a PIN number to authorize purchases.
Present your SFMNP benefit card to a participating vendor to purchase eligible produce and honey.
Please note: Participants must apply to the program each year but do not need to call a card activation phone line– benefit cards do not require participant activation. Once an individual is issued benefits, cards will be activated by issuing agencies.

Where can I use my SFMNP benefits?

Look for “Farmers Market Benefits” signs at these participating farmers markets:
- Participating Farmers Markets – Eastern Washington
  - Spanish – Marcados agricolas autorizados – Este de Washington
- Participating Farmers Markets – Western Washington
  - Spanish – Marcados agricolas autorizados – Oesto de Washington
- Participating Farm Stores
  - Spanish – Tiendas Rurales Autorizadas
- Note: Benefit cards may be used at any of the above participating farmers markets or farm stores, not just the ones in your county.