Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Program Overview

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides older adults in Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties the opportunity to purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and fresh-cut herbs from authorized farmers markets and roadside stands. Participants also receive nutrition educational materials including recipes, nutrient values, food preparation and storage information.

Another benefit of this program is that, by increasing the consumption of local agricultural commodities, it helps aid in the development of new farmers markets and roadside stands along with community-supported agriculture programs. 🌱

Qualifications

To be eligible for the 2026 SFMNP program, you must meet age and income requirements. Applicants must also be a resident of Washington State in Lewis, Mason or Thurston County.

• You must be 60 years of age or older (55 or older if you are Native American or an Alaska Native)
• Your income must be below 185% of Federal Poverty Level. That means:
  • $29,526 annual or $2,461 monthly income for 1 person
  • $40,034 annual or $3,337 monthly income for 2 people
    • For larger households, add $876 of monthly income for each additional person

Apply for the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, here [link]:

https://forms.office.com/g/6fS9pyhs9J

Ways to Apply

• LMTAAA will begin accepting applications for the upcoming 2026 Farmers Market season starting April 15.
• Older adults who meet guidelines can also apply over the phone beginning April 15. Please call 360-664-2168 and press option 2 for assistance.
• Print a paper copy of the application by downloading the PDF at the bottom of this page. Mailing instructions are located on the second page of the form.
• Paper applications also will be available during LMTAAA community outreach events beginning April 15. Please check our calendar for where you can find us. 

Market Season
During SFMNP season, cards will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Once an application has been received and screened for eligibility, the applicant will be mailed a preloaded card with $80. SFMNP benefits can be used at participating farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Washington State.  

Cards will begin to arrive in the mail beginning in late May or early June. If you have not received a card by mid-June, please call 360-664-2168 and select option 2 to ask about status.

SFMNP benefit cards are valid during harvest season, which is June 1 thru October 31, 2026. 

Where to Shop
A list of local participating farmers markets and roadside stands will be provided to each recipient of SFMNP cards. All participating farmers markets and roadside stands will have a sign posted that they accept SFMNP cards. A complete list of all participating farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Washington State is available upon request.

FAQs

• Cards are not mailed out until the end of May 2026. If you apply early, please be patient as we cannot mail them earlier since the card is not available for use until June 1st.
• You can track available balances through the SFMNP mobile app or by calling the number on the back of your card.
• No cash change will be issued for purchases, and no State or local taxes will be collected on purchases of food with cards.
• Caregivers or family members may purchase produce with the SFMNP card on behalf of an eligible participant when a proxy form is filled out by the senior designating someone else to make purchases for them. Proxy forms are available upon request.

Note: SFMNP applications and proxy forms are available in other languages upon request. Please call 360-664-2168 and select option 2 to ask if your language is available.

Apply for the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, here [link]:

https://forms.office.com/g/6fS9pyhs9J