Kentucky Senior Farmers Market Program

Kentucky Senior Farmers’ Market Program

Kentucky’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federal program that provides coupons for low-income seniors to buy fresh, unprepared foods at farmers' markets. This is the second year that Kentucky has participated in the program. SFMNP is designed to improve the health of seniors by providing access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs and to help support and create more farmers’ markets throughout the state. SFMNP benefits can only be used during the growing season. All coupons need to be redeemed by the middle of October in Kentucky.

The US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service administers the Farmers’ Market program and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture receives funding from the US Department of Agriculture to administer the SFMNP this year. The Office of Aging Services and the Extension Service provide support for the program. Seniors (60 years of age or older) with incomes less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are eligible to participate (for households of one and two, the maximum allowable annual incomes are $17,224 and $23,107, respectively). Kentucky grants eligibility to seniors enrolled in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). The counties receiving benefits from SFMNP this year are Adair, Allen, Anderson, Barren, Bath, Boyd, Boone, Carroll, Carter, Edmondson, Elliot, Floyd, Franklin, Garrett, Grant, Henry, Hopkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Laurel, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Martin, Mason, Menefee, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Nelson, Pendleton, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Scott, Taylor, and Woodford. Eligible participants receive $40 worth of farmers’ market coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Each coupon is worth $2. No change is given so farmers will add or subtract produce to equal the total coupon amount. CSFP clients will receive $20.00 worth of coupons. Dried fruits and vegetables, potted fruits and vegetables, rice, and honey are not eligible for purchase with SFMNP coupons. All produce must be grown within Kentucky borders by Kentucky farmers.