The 2025 Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) season has officially begun! This program helps provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. Eligible participants receive a $50 credit to use at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
To be eligible for the program, Ohioans must be 60 or older and earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Ohioans must re-apply every year to continue receiving benefits.
As was the case in 2024, program recipients will have the opportunity to sign up for digital benefits this year, redeemable with a smartphone app. Ohioans who sign up for the program with an email address will receive a confirmation email of their approval and can begin using their $50 starting on May 15, 2025.
Physical cards also remain available. Ohioans who chose to receive physical cards last year, and who remain eligible this year, will be able to reuse those cards in 2025, with the $50 loaded onto the cards on May 15, 2025. Physical cards will also be delivered to eligible Ohioans who misplaced their 2024 cards, did not obtain a physical card in 2024, or who are signing up for the first time in 2025. Physical cards may take 4-6 weeks for delivery.
TO APPLY, click here: Homegrown Benefits – for eFMNP
For the most current list of participating Lake County farmers markets go to:
www.ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program/
(Under 2025 Authorized SFMNP Partners, click 2025 List by County– scroll down to Lake County. This list will be updated throughout the 2025 season)
Applications for 2025 will close on September 30, 2025, and all funds must be spent by November 30, 2025. If reapproved for the program this year, Ohioans are encouraged to retain their physical cards for use again in 2026.
Contact: For Lake County seniors who need online application assistance or have general questions about the program, call the Lake County Council on Aging at (440) 205-8111.