Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of federal dietary guidelines. They are also good sources of fiber; low in sugar, fat and sodium; and nutrient-rich, yet low in calories. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables add flavor and variety to meals.

The Department of Aging partners with Area Agencies on Aging to offer the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) in 23 counties. The program operates from June through October each year and is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Eligibility and Enrollment

You are eligible for the Ohio Senior Farmers’ Market program if you are 60 years of age or older and have an annual income of $19,240 or less as a single person ($25,900 or less for a household of two).

To enroll, visit a distribution site (senior centers, nutrition providers or senior housing facilities) near you. Applications are accepted and coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while funds are available. Participants receive 10 - $5.00 coupons valid through October. If you are homebound, you may select someone trustworthy to be your proxy and pick up and redeem your coupons for you.

You can use your coupons at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Look for the senior farmers’ market (SFMNP) poster when shopping.

How the Program Works

Coupons can be redeemed only for fresh produce and herbs in their natural state grown in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. Coupons may not be used to buy produce that the farmer has purchased from a wholesaler or non-local farmer. Farmers can tell you what is grown locally.

Coupons may not be used to purchase flowers, potted plants, crafts, eggs, nuts, rice, popcorn, dried produce, dried herbs and baked goods. Coupons also may not be used to purchase processed foods, such as jams, apple butter, honey, apple cider or maple syrup. Lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits, pineapples, mangos and bananas are not grown locally and may not be purchased with coupons.

Please select produce equal to the amount of the coupon. No change will be given.

Locally Grown Produce

Fresh Vegetables		Fresh Fruits	Fresh Herbs
Asparagus Beans Beets Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Corn Cucumbers Eggplant Greens (all) Kale Kohlrabi Leeks	Lettuce Mushrooms Okra Onions Parsnips Peas Peppers Potatoes Radishes Rhubarb Rutabagas Spinach Squash Tomatoes Turnips Zucchini	Apples Apricots Berries (all) Cherries Grapes Melons (all) Pears Peaches Plums Pumpkins	Basil Chives Cilantro Dill Garlic Horseradish Lovage Fresh Herbs Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Thyme

Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program Contacts

Northwest: Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Sandusky, Williams and Wood Counties
Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
Contact: Rebecca Liebes, (419) 382-0624
Central: Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison and Pickaway Counties
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
Contact: Linda Gillespie, (614) 645-3860
Southeast: Athens, Monroe, Morgan and Noble Counties
Area Agency on Aging Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District
Contact: Linda Myers, (740) 374-9436
Northeast: Portage and Summit Counties
Area Agency on Aging, 10B, Inc.
Contact: Leigh Sliwinski, (330) 899-5226
Northeast: Cuyahoga County
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
Contact: Janice Davis, (216) 621-8010

Participating Counties

Shaded counties have active Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs. Click the map for contact information.