By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), a popular food and nutrition program for low-income older adults, is now open for applications until Wednesday, May 24th.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a seasonal program that provides an e-Benefit card, valued at $80 for a one-time distribution, that can be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmer’s markets. This helps older adults with low to moderate incomes add more fresh, nutritious foods to their diet.
“Access to healthy food is one of the key social determinants of health. Eating healthy, nutritious food contributes to good health, particularly among our youngest and oldest community members. But those who need access to healthy, nutritious food don’t always have it,” says Mary Mitchell, Director of Aging and Disability Services, a division of the Seattle Human Services Department.
“SFMNP benefits have inspired some older people to visit a farmers market for the first time,” added 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.”
To be eligible for the program, you must be above the age of 60 years old, 55 if you are American Indian or Alaska Native, be considered as low-income making no more than $2,322 monthly for one person or $3,151 for two people and be a resident of King County.
Due to the popularity of the program, the funds are limited, and a random selection process is used to determine who will receive the funds. According to Mitchell, all applications will be reviewed and placed into a drawing for selection. E-Benefit cards will be sent out in July to those who are selected.
“This is a one-time benefit, but eligible residents can apply again the following year. Also, the e-Benefit card can be used at farmers markets throughout the year,” says Mitchell. “Last year, we were able to provide $857,840 in farmers market benefits, supporting 10,722 low-income older adults as well as local farmers who produce the food.”
Focusing on the overall goal of the program to help older adults add nutritious foods to their diets, the SFMNP hopes to increase the number of Black or African American participants in the coming years.
“African American elders are disproportionately impacted by health disparities that affect quality of life, longevity, and nutritional risk,” says Mitchell. “Last year, more than 10% of our participants were Black or African American, and we strive to increase that percentage. We continue to work with the African American Elders Program, Byrd Barr Place, and our senior centers to spread the word about the opportunity to gain access to healthy food.”
Application support is available free of charge for those who need it through local services. The African American Elders Program at Catholic Community Services is part of the Community Living Connections Network and is focused on providing access to resources for Black and African American elders.
In addition, the SFMNP emphasizes outreach to immigrant communities, by making information and applications available in 15 languages. The easiest way to apply is online at sfmnp-seattleking.org, for those who require a paper application, they are provided at AgingKingCounty.org/SFMNP.
