Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

 

The purposes of the Senior Farmers? Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) are to: (1) provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs from farmers? markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs to low-income seniors; 2) increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers? markets, roadside stands, and CSAs; and (3) develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers? markets, roadside stands, and CSAs.

Active 10.576 Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture A - Formula Grants Fiscal Year 2016 No Current Data Available. 816,207 Participants, 20,129 Farmers, 3,582 Farmers’ Markets, 2,693 Roadside Stands, 114 Community Supported Agriculture Programs. .
Fiscal Year 2017 808,507 Participants, 19,449 Farmers, 3,641 Farmers’ Markets, 2,541 Roadside Stands, 94 Community Supported Agriculture Programs.
Fiscal Year 2018 19,284 Farmers; 3,167 Farmers’ Markets; 3,297 Roadside Stands; 100 CSAs; and 838,190 Participants.
Fiscal Year 2019 Missouri returned to SFMNP increasing the number of participating State Agencies from 53 to 54. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, (P.L. 107–171, 116 Stat. 134), Section 4402 as amended. State means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. State agencies include State Agriculture Department, Agency on Aging, or Health Department, and ITOs. Local agencies are nonprofit entities or local government agencies which certify eligible participants, issue SFMNP coupons, arrange for distribution of eligible foods through CSA programs, and/or provide nutrition education. Each State agency desiring to administer the SFMNP shall annually submit a State Plan of Operations and enter into a written agreement with FNS for administration of the Program in the jurisdiction of the State agency. New State agencies are selected based on the availability of funds, after base grants, for currently participating State agencies. Local SFMNP agencies are selected by participating State agencies based on concentration of eligible senior participants and access to farmers' markets. Persons eligible for the program are low-income seniors, generally defined as individuals who are at least 60 years old and who have household incomes of not more than 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines published each year by the Department of Health and Human Services. Some State agencies accept proof of participation or enrollment in another means-tested program, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for SFMNP eligibility. Individual participants apply for SFMNP benefits at authorized SFMNP local agencies. A signed Federal/State Agreement (FNS-339) is necessary before funds can be allocated to a participating SFMNP State agency. Costs will be determined in accordance with FNS guidelines and instructions. Preapplication coordination is required. Application is made through submission of a State Plan of Operations as required by law. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The State agency is responsible for the fiscal management of and accountability for SFMNP-related activities for farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs. Each State agency may decide whether to authorize individual farmers and farmers' markets separately, or to authorize only farmers' markets. In addition, each State agency may decide whether to authorize roadside stands and/or CSA programs. The State agency may authorize a farmer for participation in a farmers' market, a roadside stand, and/or CSA program simultaneously. All contracts or agreements entered into by the State agency for the management or operation of farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and/or CSA programs shall conform to the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200 and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR Parts 400 and 415. Only farmers, farmers' markets, and/or roadside stands authorized by the State agency may redeem SFMNP coupons. Funds are awarded by the Department on the basis of funding formulas to State agencies. If the available funds are insufficient to meet the base grant levels for current SFMNP grantees, a pro-rata reduction is applied to grant levels awarded above $75,000 for all participating SFMNP State agencies. If additional funds become available for the SFMNP, such funds are distributed pro rata among current grantees to make whole their base grants for that fiscal year. Grant payments are made by a letter of credit. By November 15 of each year, each applying or participating State agency shall submit to FNS for approval a State Plan of Operations for the following year as a prerequisite to receiving federal funds. FNS will provide written approval or denial of a completed State Plan of Operations or amendment within 30 days of receipt. All decisions by FNS are final. This Program is authorized beginning October 1 of any calendar year and ending September 30 of the following calendar year. Not applicable. The SFMNP is administered through a federal/State partnership in which the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awards cash grants to State agencies, including U.S. Territories and ITOs, to provide low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and CSAs. The majority of grant funds must be used for benefits. State agencies may use up to 10 percent of their grants for program administrative costs. Not applicable. Not applicable. Each State agency must maintain full and complete records concerning SFMNP operations. Such records must comply with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR Parts 400 and 415 and the following requirements: (1) Records must include, but not be limited to, information pertaining to certification, financial operations, SFMNP coupon issuance and redemption, authorized outlet (farmers, farmers' markets, and CSA program) agreements, authorized outlet monitoring, CSA program agreements, invoices, delivery receipts, equipment purchases and inventory, nutrition education, fair hearings, and civil rights procedures; and (2) all records must be retained for a minimum of 3 years following the date of submission of the final expenditure report for the period to which the report pertains. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. SFMNP funds are provided using Federal Reserve Bank letters of credit. State agencies may withdraw funds only as needed. All SFMNP coupons must be issued by September 30 of each fiscal year and must be redeemed by November 30 of each year. https://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-regional-offices Sarah Widor, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division
5th Floor
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302 US
Sarah.Widor@fns.usda.gov
Phone: (703) 305-2746 http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program-sfmnp 12-3507-0-1-605 (Formula Grants) FY 18$20,600,000.00; FY 19 est $20,600,000.00; FY 20 est $20,600,000.00; FY 17$20,600,000.00; FY 16$20,273,000.00; - FY 2018 grants ranged from $9,925 to $1,788,983 (actual). FY 2019 grants range from $9,925 to $1,776,067 (estimated). 7 CFR Part 249, 2 CFR Part 200 Fiscal Year 2016 No Current Data Available. 52 State agencies, U.S. Territories and federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations.
Fiscal Year 2017 52 State agencies, U.S. Territories and federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations.
Fiscal Year 2019 54 State agencies, U.S. Territories and federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations.