Services

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Recipient online application will open on April 22^nd at 12:00pm EDT and close May 22^nd at 6:00pm EDT.
Recipients must be 60 or older, earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level, and reapply every year due to federal regulations.

The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds expired September 30, 2025, returning the overall budget for the program to its original levels. This reduces the number of older adults who can participate in the 2026 program season. To better understand potential unmet need and ensure full use of benefits issued, there is an application deadline of Friday, May 22. Applications will no longer be accepted after this date

Click here for more information.

About the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The Ohio Department of Aging is proud to provide older Ohioans convenient access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and raw honey, through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

Eligible participants receive $50 Benefits to use at participating farmers' markets and roadside stands.

Last Day for Benefit Transactions is November 30th, 2026.

In partnership with the Ohio Department of Aging, this program is available to eligible applicants who are 60 and older in most of all of Ohio counties. The Ohio Dist. 5 Area Agency on Aging may assist you with submitting applications for Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Richland, Marion, Morrow, Seneca, Wyandot counties.

Eligibility Guidelines

You are eligible for the Ohio Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and its $50 annual benefit if:

You are age 60 or older,
You live in one of the 80 counties* that participate in the program, and
You have a household income that falls within 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- For 2026, the 185% of the Federal Poverty Level is:
  - $0-$29,526 for a 1-person household
  - $0-$40,034 for a 2-person household
  - $0-$50,542 for a 3-person household
  - $0-$61,050 for a 4-person household
  - $0-$71,558 for a 5-person household
  - $0-$82,066 for a 6-person household

*If you live in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Noble, Perry, or Washington counties, please contact Buckeye Hills Regional Council to participate

How Do I Apply?

Participating is easy!

Both past participants and new applicants must apply through an online application each year.
Each individual applicant will need an email address to complete the application.
If you requested a Physical Benefit Card, please keep for future use. Card is reusable. You must reapply every program year. If you are approved, your benefit will be loaded directly on your current card.

Apply here: https://aging.ohio.gov/SFMNP. You will be asked to choose your "Receipt of Benefits" method.

- Homegrown Benefits for SFMNP Mobile app: You have an email address and a device that can download a mobile application.

- - If approved, you will receive an email from Support@HomegrownBenefits.com to confirm your email and set up your password.
  - Then, download the app on the Google Play or Apple store.
  - Log in with your email address as your "Username" and the password you created.
  - If you choose to use the mobile app, click HERE for more information.

- Reuse your physical benefit card from 2025.

- QR Code- This will be sent to the email used to register your account

- Request a new physical benefit card (which may take 4-6 weeks for delivery).

Your $50 benefit will be available after May 15. Happy shopping!

Participating Farmers Markets

Please note: New locations are being authorized throughout the season.

If you are a farmer and are interested in participating, please contact https:ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org.

How Do I Use My Benefits?

Participants will log in to the Homegrown Benefits eFMNP mobile app and click "Pay Vendor." Allow the authorized farmers/markets (vendors) to scan the QR code. The vendor will complete the steps on the following page through their mobile app. Before completing the transaction, participants can confirm the transaction amount.

If you requested a Physical Benefit Card, please keep for future use. Card is reusable. You must reapply every program year. If you are approved, your benefit will be loaded directly on your current card.

Need Help?

Call 567-247-7101 if you need help with submitting an application.

If you have received confirmation online and need assistance to access your benefit, check your balance, reset your password, or other app issues that need troubleshooted, contact Ohio Homegrown Benefits Support Line at (614) 412-1729, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., or Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Additional Resources

Ohio Department of Aging Website

MyPlate Nutritional Guide

Food Assistance - Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Produce Perks Program

Program Modernization Information

USDA Website

Eating Well: Farmers' Market Recipes

Nutrition Education Fact Sheets

Ohio Farmers Market Network Webpage