More Money Available for Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball on Thursday July 21 announced that $2 million in Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks are now available for eligible individuals across the state. 

The program provides checks to low-income New Yorkers age 60 and older to purchase $20 worth of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables from participating local farmers’ markets and farm stands. 

For the first time, program benefits are being provided on an individual basis instead of per household, expanding the reach of the program to more older New Yorkers. 

 

In Upstate communities, checks are now available at county Offices for the Aging. 

About 120,000 booklets consisting of five $4 checks will be distributed this year, allowing for the purchase of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables from 950 farmers vending at over 600 farmers’ markets and farm stands across the state. 

A pocket folder with instructions on how and where to use the checks to purchase fresh, local fruits and vegetables from farmers at the market will be included with each booklet. Checks can be used at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands through Nov. 30 of this year.

 

Eligible recipients must be age 60 or older and meet the income eligibility requirement — $1,832 or less per month for a single or $2,470 per month for a couple — or affirm that they are currently receiving or eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income, or public assistance or Section 8 housing subsidy. 

Recipients cannot have received Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks from any other location.