The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides eligible senior citizens with check vouchers to use at their local farmers’ markets to buy fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables.

This is a seasonal program that typically starts in mid-June and end in October.

Local senior citizens may contact the Area IV Agency’s main office in Lafayette to see if they are eligible.  If they are eligible, they are given a voucher of checks worth $24 to use at Farmer’s Markets in the area.  Seniors must live in the Area IV counties: Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren, and White counties.  

In the Area IV region there are presently four Farmer’s Markets:  three in Tippecanoe county and one in Clinton county.

The health benefits of consuming fresh produce, the social interaction provided at the market, and the financial savings makes this a highly desired program for both seniors and farmers.

See more in this PDF

Categorical

For categorical eligibility, Indiana recognizes;

• A person aged 60 years or older as of October 1
• Enrollment in an Area on Aging Agency (AAA) program and/or willingness to participate or shop at a farmer’s market/roadside stand.  The senior may have one proxy at least 18 years old enroll and go the market for them.
• A disabled person must be enrolled in an AAA program, under 60 years old but over 21 years living in housing for the elderly with congregate nutrition services.

Residency

For residency, Indiana recognizes;

A person who resides in any of the counties served by the authorized Area on Aging Agency at the time of application

Income Eligibility

For the 2009 SFMNP season is the provision that checks may only be issued to seniors and qualified disabled person with income meeting the federal poverty guideline.

For 2009 income limits see the “2009 Income Eligibility Limits” sheet.

Income is recorded on the SFMNP application form and is based on a verbal declaration of income or documentation of participation in another means tested program.

For Income, Indiana recognizes;

• Applicant must have a maximum self-reported household income of not more that 185% of the Annual Poverty Income Guidelines.
  or
• Applicant shows documentation of participation in TANF, Food Stamps, or SFCP at the time of the application.
  or
• Applicant is a member of a household currently participating in the Indiana WIC program.