Apply Now: Senior Farmers Market Cards Valued at $80

2025 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program now open for applications

Fewer than one-third of senior citizens in the United States eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, which are vital to preventing and treating health problems. The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) addresses this public health concern by incentivizing low-income older adults to buy fresh produce from local farmers.

The program provides an e-Benefit card valued at $80 (one-time distribution) to be used for the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers, farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs). The goal of the program is to increase access to nutritious, local foods and to aid in the expansion and development of local markets.

To apply, all of the following must be true:

• Age 60+ (age 55+ if American Indian or Alaska Native) by June 15

• Low income (no more than $2,413 monthly income for one person or $3,261 for two people—for each additional person, add $848)

• King County, WA resident

Applications must be completed by May 9, 2025. They can be submitted online via a special portal (sfmnp-seattleking.org). Anyone requiring a paper application can download one from the SFMNP website and follow instructions to return by mail. Applicants should apply only once; duplicates will be removed. Information and applications are available in 15 languages.

After the application period closes, completed applications will be entered into a random selection process. In June, SFMNP benefit cards will be mailed to those who were selected.

In King County, the SFMNP is administered by the Seattle Human Services Department's Aging and Disability Services (ADS) division, which serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County.  

“Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits have inspired some older people to visit a farmers market for their first time,” said ADS Division Director Mary Mitchell. “Once there, they find a broad range of produce, including foods that are part of their culture and sometimes foods they may not have eaten since childhood. Moreover, they meet and talk with farmers, neighbors, and others, helping to reduce social isolation, and they have a really good time in an open-air setting.”

In 2024, the SFMNP:

• Provided $868,560 in farmers market benefits to 10,857 low-income older adults.

• Provided access to healthy, locally grown, and often culturally relevant fresh produce.

• Supported local farmers who produce the food.

Questions about the program?

Need help with your application? Call Community Living Connections (toll free) at 1-844-348-5464. The service is local and free of charge.