VAFMA has partnered with DARS, VDACS, VSU, VDH & the Area Agencies on Aging to expand access to the Senior and WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program across Virginia.
The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services-Office for Aging Services (DARS-OAS) and DARS-OAS’ agricultural partners: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (VDACS); Virginia State University, (VSU), and the Virginia Farmers Market Association, (VAFMA); along with Virginia Department of Health (VDH) WIC programs and the local area agencies on aging (AAAs) have teamed up to provide the Senior and WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (S/FMNP), also referred to as Farm Market Fresh. This program helps Virginia fruit and vegetable farmers and at the same time provides our participants with fresh, local fruits and vegetables.
The Farm Market Fresh program, also known as the Senior & WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (S/FMNP) is a federal and state nutrition program administered by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). DARS authorizes farmers to accept Virginia’s Farm Market Fresh for Older Adults and WIC Program (S/FMNP) vouchers at farmers’ markets.
The purposes of the program include providing fresh fruit and vegetables and nutrition education to participants; promotion and use of farmers markets as a direct marketing outlet for Virginia farmers; and promotion of Virginia fresh fruit, vegetables and cut herbs.
About the Program
Through the SFMNP, older adults are eligible to receive 10 vouchers ($5 each), totaling $50 worth of farmers market vouchers to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh cut herbs from approved vendors if the following statements are true:
- They are 60 years of age or older.
- They are a resident of a locality that participates in the program.
- They do not live in the same household and they are not an immediate family member of the farmer who grows the produce.
- They meet the program’s income requirements. They must certify their household income.
Seniors
Enrollment for 2025 ended September 30th. The application will be available again in February.
Vouchers can be redeemed at participating farmers’ markets & roadside stands from June 1 – November 30.
Have questions about your benefits? Visit the Healthy Together Resources page and click on their virtual assistant button for quick answers.
Farmers
Interested in becoming an authorized Farm Market Fresh Farmer/Vendor?
To participate, a farmer must meet the following four criteria:
- A person who is authorized under the rules of Farm Market Fresh in Virginia and has a signed Farmer Agreement by DAS.
- A resident of Virginia who grows and harvests on land within the Commonwealth of Virginia, fruit, vegetables, and/or cut herbs that are “eligible” foods under the Farm Market Fresh program.
- Annually sells at least $1,000 worth of self-grown fruit, vegetables and/or cut herbs that are “eligible” foods under Farm Market Fresh.
- A bona fide producer of the fresh fruit, vegetables and cut herbs offered for sale or exchange for Farm Market Fresh benefits.
Application Process
The application process takes place every two years. Farmers desiring to participate in Virginia’s Farm Market Fresh program must complete and submit an application and agreement. The online application can be found at https://FarmMarketFresh.org and will include the farmer application and the agreement. If you would like to request a hard-copy application, email sfmnp@dars.virginia.gov or call (804) 774-9067 and a hardcopy application can be sent to you. It is important to apply online, if you can, to streamline your application process and become approved faster.
Contact information for DAS’ agricultural partners is found in the appendix of the Farmers’ handbook. The application will be reviewed by DAS’ Farm Market Fresh Coordinator and the agricultural partners.
To be an authorized farmer and participate in the Farm Market Fresh program, the applicant must meet the selection criteria and have a fully executed farmer authorization agreement with DAS.
DAS and its agricultural partners establish and periodically review criteria for the selection of farmers who will be authorized to transact and redeem Farm Market Fresh benefits. DAS and its agricultural partners must ensure that an appropriate number of farmers will be authorized. The farmer must comply with the farmer selection criteria throughout the agreement period. DAS and its agricultural partners may reassess the farmer at any time during the agreement period using the selection criteria in effect at the time of reassessment. In consultation with its agricultural partners, DAS will terminate the agreement if the farmer fails to comply with the current farmer selection criteria.
The farmer must submit a completed application for authorization. However, submission of the application is not a guarantee that the farmer will be authorized. Farmers in their second year of the agreement will just need to update their Farmer Profile on the Healthy Together app or web portal.
Farmer Training Sessions
DARS hosts virtual Training & Information Sessions for interested farmers to discuss the details of this program.
Due to program updates, in 2025 ALL participating farmers must attend one training session before accepting Farm Market Fresh checks at the market.
Virtual Farmer Training & Information sessions will be offered the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at alternating times (3:30 – 4:30pm or 5:30 – 6:30pm) on the following dates:
August 5 (5:30 – 6:30pm)
Farmers who need assistance attending a Training & Information Session, please call Matthew, the Farm Market Fresh Coordinator, at (804) 774-9067.
Questions on Farmer application and agreement?
Matthew Wasikiewicz
Farm Market Fresh Coordinator
Phone: (804) 774-9067
Email: Matthew.wasikiewicz@dars.virginia.gov
Farmers Market Managers
Please help us expand this program to the farmers at your market.
Role of Market Managers:
- Recruit farmers at your markets
- Pass out applications
- Encourage participation
- Know the policies to support your farmers and shoppers
- Reduce confusion about the program
S/FMNP Promotion Signs & Other Resources:
We Proudly Accept S/FMNP Sign
Spend Five and Thrive Sign
Expansion Partners & Supporters
Funding for this publication was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 21FMPPVA1084. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
