Senior Farmers Market
Nutrition Program
We don ’ t usually think about buying
fresh vegetables and fruits at the local Farmers Market in the middle of winter unless of course you are a senior who has participated in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program ( SFMNP ) before . If you participated in the program in the past , you know it is now time to start signing up . The Farmers Market Authority is accepting applications for the 2021 Senior Farmers Market vouchers that give seniors the opportunity to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables .
“ Most seniors just refer to the SFMNP as the vegetable voucher program ,” said Ronette Gravitt , nutrition coordinator for NARCOG .
2021 Age and Income Criteria
Must be 60 or older on the date of application
Gross Household Income ( must not exceed ): $ 1756 monthly for a household of 1 $ 2371 monthly for a household of 2 $ 2987 monthly for a household of 3
* Call for higher household sizes *
“ We began taking phone calls the first day the application went live in early January .” Almost 1,800 area seniors applied for the SFMNP across the three-county NARCOG region in 2020 .
The booklets containing five vouchers with a value of $ 30 are mailed in late May or early June to those approved for the program . Vouchers can be used at local Farmers Markets , roadside stands , and U-pick operations across Alabama . Fresh fruits , vegetables , herbs , and even local honey can be purchased with the vouchers .
The application is only available online . However , NARCOG and our partners at the Commission on Aging office assist local seniors 60 and older to apply by telephone . You can call NARCOG at 256-355-4515 or 1-800-243- 5463 or the Cullman Commission on Aging at 256-734-1241 to apply . To learn more about the SFMNP or to apply online visit http :// fma . alabama . gov .
6 | SPRING 2021 CULLMAN COUNTY SENIOR MAGAZINE