Ohio Department of Aging 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 44 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 $20,035 or less as a single person ($26,954 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 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 coupons for you.

You can use your coupons at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Look for the senior farmers’ market 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, apple cider or maple syrup. Lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits, pineapples, mangos and bananas are not grown locally and may not be purchased with coupons.

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Contacts

• Regions 3 & 4: Allen, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Williams and Wood Counties
  Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
  Contact: Rebecca Liebes, (419) 382-0624
   
• Region 6: Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison and Pickaway Counties
  Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
  Contact: Linda Gillespie, (614) 645-3860
   
• Region 7: Ross County
  Area Agency on Aging 7, Inc.
  Contact: Rita Pauley, (740) 245-5306
   
• Region 8: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties
  Area Agency on Aging Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District
  Contacts: Cathy Ash/Denise Keyes/Judy Kuhn, (740) 373-6400 
   
• Region 9: Jefferson County
  Area Agency on Aging Region 9, Inc.
  Contact: Diane Phillips, (740) 435-4913 
   
• Region 10a: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina Counties
  Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
  Contact: Janice Davis, (216) 621-8010
   
• Region 10b : Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne Counties
  Area Agency on Aging, 10B, Inc.
  Contact: Leigh Sliwinski, (330) 899-5226
   
• Region 11: Columbiana County
  Area Agency on Aging 11, Inc.
  Contact: Lisa Gill-Argiro, (330) 505-2360

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

Locally Grown Produce

The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrtion Program is made possible by funding from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Nondiscrimination statement: “The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability.”