The following is excerpted from the website of the United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program, and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, https://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=399020.
What is the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program?
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is funded and administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to provide low-income seniors with electronic cards that can be used to purchase eligible foods at farmers’ markets. The SFMNP was created to provide a supplemental source of fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers’ markets, and to promote agricultural diversification by stimulating the demand for Connecticut grown fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets.
Who is Eligible?
Individuals 60 years of age or older, with incomes that do not exceed 185% of poverty income guidelines are eligible. Clients must be participating in another program with proper means testing verifying their eligibility. Examples of other programs include but are not limited to renter rebate programs or congregate meal programs.
How Does the Program Operate?
Eligible participants receive $40 in benefits per market season loaded onto a pre-existing card or through the SoliMarket Shopper mobile app, which is accessed on a smartphone. Recipients may use the funds to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, cut herbs, eggs, and honey from certified Connecticut Grown farmers.
How to Apply:
Eligible seniors may apply at the office of their town’s Municipal Agent for the Elderly or Social/Elderly Service Director.
To find the Social Services office in your town, click on this link from the 211 database. To narrow the results, enter your zip code and click the search icon.
To find the Municipal Agent for the Elderly office in your town, click on this link from the 211 database. To narrow the results, enter your zip code and click the search icon.
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SOURCES: United States Department of Agriculture: Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Overview; Connecticut Department of Agriculture: Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program
PREPARED BY: 211/jm
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2026