Residents of Butler, Sedgwick, and Harvey counties who are 60 years or older and meet the following income guidelines can apply to receive (10) $5 coupons, totaling $50. Seniors can use their benefits to purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared, and locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at local participating farmers’ markets from June to November.
Who is Eligible for the Kansas Farmers Market Nutrition Program?
- Age: A senior must be 60 years old or older on the day the money is issued.
Goals of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables for optimal health
- Increase direct marketing of Kansas foods
- Provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs to low-income seniors
- Increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs.
- Develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs.
How to Apply for the Kansas Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Benefits are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. To complete an application, contact the Local Distribution Agency in your area. Benefits are distributed to eligible applicants between June 1 and September 15, 2024 or until benefits are gone, whichever happens first.
You can find the nearest Local Distribution Agency in your area by using our interactive map.
Should you apply after September 15, 2024, or you are told benefits are no longer available, you will be added to a waitlist and contacted if additional farmers market benefits become available.
If You Qualify
You will receive a booklet of 10, $5 coupons for a one-time annual benefit of $50 to purchase eligible foods from authorized farmers.
If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, email Courtney Koenig.
Eligibility
The Kansas Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition program qualifies eligible Kansas seniors who are:
- 60 years of age and meet income eligibility guidelines.
or
- 55 years of age and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization and meet income eligibility guidelines.
Benefits are distributed individually, meaning any others in your household also meeting the eligibility guidelines may apply for and receive their own benefits.
Income Eligibility Guidelines, July 1, 2024 Through June 30, 2025
What you can purchase with the Kansas Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits
Eligible foods that may be purchased with the KSFMNP checks from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as “fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and herbs for human consumption that are produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions.”
For more information about the Kansas Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, you can call one of the respective agencies, depending on where you live:
- Butler County Department on Aging, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (316) 775-0500
- Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 1-855-200-2372
- Harvey County Department on Aging, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12noon at (316) 284-6880.
- Please visit their website for more information and make sure nothing with this program has changed the KDHE website here.
Related:
Double-up Food Bucks at Kansas Farmers Markets for SNAP Participants
Farmers Markets in and near Wichita
Wichita Indoor Farmers Markets
2 Responses
Does this apply to shut in seniors if the person who does their shopping is willing to shop at the farmers market? Which farmers markets participate?
Jeannie, that’s a good question, and one I don’t know the answer to. I would call the Sedgwick County Department on Aging 316-660-5120 to ask. There may also be information on their website (www.sedgwickcounty.org).