Editor’s Note: This originally appeared on the Ohio Department of Aging’s website.
COLUMBUS – Eligible Ohioans age 60 and older will once again have access to $50 in fresh locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and unprocessed honey in 2025 through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) announced today.
Locally, the Mount Vernon Farmers Market and Knox Berry Farm participate in the program.
Applications for the 2025 season of the SFMNP are now available online at this link on the website of Homegrown Benefits, ODA’s SFMNP partner.
“The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a fantastic way for older Ohioans to get fresh produce from their communities while also helping Ohio farmers find new customers,” said ODA Director Ursel J. 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.”
Ohioans must be 60 or older and earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level to be eligible for the program. They must reapply every year to continue receiving benefits.
As in 2024, program recipients can 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.
Physical membership 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.
Sign up for the 2025 SFMNP
View Participating Farmers Markets
Physical cards will also be delivered to eligible Ohioans who misplaced their 2024 cards, did not obtain a physical card in 2024, or signed up for the first time in 2025. Delivery may take 4-6 weeks.
Ohioans living in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties can still participate. However, they must sign up through Buckeye Hills Regional Council rather than utilizing the Homegrown website. For this program year, Ohioans in those counties will receive the traditional SFMNP coupons instead of having access to the app.
Applications for 2025 will close on Sept. 30, and all funds must be spent by Nov. 30. If Ohioans are reapproved for the program this year, they are encouraged to retain their physical cards for use again in 2026.
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.
Aligning with ODA’s vision to make Ohio the best place to age in the nation, the SFMNP increases access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables for older Ohioans while also providing community and civic engagement opportunities.
The program has been shown to enhance older Ohioans’ socialization while also encouraging healthier choices.
The program supports Ohio’s food and agriculture industry. The initiative benefits Ohio’s farmers and farmers markets by bringing greater agricultural revenue to Ohio. The SFMNP also improves the local economy and strengthens Ohio’s food system.
Interested farmers or markets wanting more information about the program can contact the Ohio Farmers Market Network at Senior@ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org.