Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) was established as a pilot program in 2001 in an effort to provide a direct tie between nutrition and production agriculture by allowing eligible individuals to purchase fresh local produce directly from farmers.
The SFMNP is designed to increase the consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the development of farmers’ markets and by providing fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs to low-income seniors.
Scientific research has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides essential nutrients and helps reduce the incidence of certain illnesses, including cancer. I believe this program is critically important to providing seniors- who are increasingly faced with fixed incomes- with these nutritious foods.
The 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 allows USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to continue the program by providing SFMNP grants to 32 states, 3 Indian Tribal Organizations, Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Fiscal year 2002 grants totaled $15 million.
The SFMNP Expect to serve 400,000 low-income senior citizens who utilize coupons to purchase fruit, vegetables and herbs from approximately 3,500 farmers at nearly 2,000 markets, roadside stands or community supported agriculture programs.
NASDA encourages Congress to continue funding for the SFMNP as a means of enhancing the relationship between seniors and local farmers who provide fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. NASDA further supports expanding the program to additional states and farmers’ markets.