COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio residents who are 65 and older living in one of 80 Ohio counties that participate in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) might be eligible to access $50 in fresh locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs and unprocessed honey in 2025.

The program is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Aging and the objectives are three-fold: First, provide resources in the form of locally-grown fruits, vegetables, honey and fresh cut herbs from farmers markets and roadside stands for low-income older adults. Next, increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of these markets and roadside stands. Finally, develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers markets and roadside stands.

“The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a fantastic way for older Ohioans to get fresh product from their communities while also helping Ohio farmers find new customers,” said ODA Director Ursel McElroy. “By providing additional methods for older Ohioans to get healthy food into their diets and make smart lifestyle choices, we are continuing our mission to make Ohio the best place to age in the nation.”

Residents in this age category must have a household income that falls within 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. For example, for 2025 the 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level is $0 to $28,953 for a one-person household, $0 to $39,128 for a two-person household and $0 to $49,303 for a three-person household. At the top of this spectrum, those earning less than $79,828 with a six-person household would qualify.

Applications were made available starting April 16. Approved applicants will receive benefits starting May 15, either digitally via a smartphone app or through physical membership cards. Recipient applications close Sept. 30 and the last day to redeem benefits is Nov. 30.

Residents living in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Noble, Perry and Washington counties will need to acces the program differently. They must sign up through Buckeye Hills Regional Council at https://portal.homegrownbenefits.com/apply/ohio. For this program year, Ohioans in those counties will receive the traditional SFMNP coupons instead of having access to the app.

ODA switched from printed coupons statewide to a new app-based model last year. In the new model, participants can use their benefits in any dollar increment, creating more flexibility and giving older Ohioans more power while also reducing administrative costs.

Interested farmers or markets wanting more information about the program can contact the Ohio Farmers Market Network at senior@ohiofarmersmarketsnetwork.org. The 2025 SFMNP application can be found at https://portal.homegrownbenefits.com/apply/ohio.

There are SFMNPs set up in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan and Illinois as well. Each SFMNP varies somewhat.

In Indiana, seniors aged 60 and older who have a household income of below 130 percent of the current federal poverty guidelines are eligible, which is about $15,301 for seniors living along, according to Feeding America.

In Indiana, seniors must live in one of the following counties: Allen, Brown, Crawford, Dearborn, DeKalb, Dubois, Elkhart, Gibson, Hendricks, Huntington, Johnson, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Lawrence, Marion, Marshall, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Perry, Porter, Posey, Spencer, St. Joseph, Steuben, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Warrick or Whitley.

For a list of all farmers markets participating in the program, contact one of the following state agencies:

Ohio Department of Agriculture, 614-719-9227; Indiana Department of Health, 1-800-522-0874; Illinois Department of Human Services, 217-782-2166; Tennessee Department of Family Health & Wellness, 615-741-7218; Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Aging & Adult, 312-353-6664; Iowa Department of Agriculture and Landscape Stewardship, 515-242-6239; Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 502-782-9241.