Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

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 509-477-4442.

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.

2024 Participant Eligibility

  1. You must be 60 years old or older (55+ if you are Native American/Alaska Native)
  2. Your income must be below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. This means:
    • $27,861 Annual or $2,322 Monthly Income for 1 person
    • $37,814 Annual or $3,151 Monthly Income for 2 people
    • For larger households, add $829 per month for each additional person
  3. You must be a resident of Washington State (and reside in the county served by each distributing agency)

Where do I apply for SFMNP benefits?

ALTCEW has made agreements for distribution of benefits in our five-county region as follows:

Spokane County is served by Catholic Charities Eastern Washington (CCEW)

cceasternwa.org/food-for-all

Application deadline is June 8, 2024.  Entries are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all spots are filled in the Spokane County. However, CCEW will continue to accept submissions after the deadline, as electronic benefit cards may still be available.

Stevens, Pend Oreille, and northern Ferry counties are served by Rural Resources Community Action

ruralresources.org

  • Call Aja Bridge at 509-685-6068 for distribution information
  • Or stop by Rural Resources
    • 956 South Main Street, Colville, WA 99114
  • Visit senior meal sites for application information
  • Applications: Affidavit Tri-County English
  • Proxy Forms: English

Whitman County is served by Council on Aging and Human Services

coacolfax.org

  • Call Paige Collins or Margie Anderson at 509-397-4305 for distribution information
  • Stop by the COA-HS office
    • 210 S Main Street, Colfax, WA 99111
  • Visit senior meal sites for application information
  • Applications: Affidavit Whitman County English
  • Proxy Forms: English
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program – Document Translations for languages other than English

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

Frequently Asked Questions:

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.
Where can I use my SFMNP benefits?
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.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Mobile App Now Available!

Track your benefit balance and purchase history, learn more about your available benefits, and locate SFMNP vendors using the app!