The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs to eligible New Jersey Senior Citizens.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program reinforces the importance of using locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the nutritional health of New Jersey’s seniors and expands the awareness and use of the local farmers’ market. The program also promotes the financial growth of the local farmers.
The New Jersey Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program started in 1997 as a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services - WIC Services, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
To be eligible to receive Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits, a senior citizen must be at least sixty years old and have a household income of at or below $20,036 per individual or $26,955 per couple. The program is administered through the County Offices on Aging, City of Paterson and Jersey City. Each County or City agency screens senior citizens for eligibility and determines the number of seniors that will receive Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits each season based on available funds.
Income Eligibility Guidelines |
(Effective from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) |
Household Size |
Your household is eligible if your total income is less than … |
Annual |
Monthly |
Twice-Monthly |
Bi-Weekly |
Weekly |
1 |
20,036 |
1,670 |
835 |
771 |
386 |
2 |
26,955 |
2,247 |
1,124 |
1,037 |
519 |
3 |
33,874 |
2,823 |
1,412 |
1,303 |
652 |
4 |
40,793 |
3,400 |
1,700 |
1,569 |
785 |
5 |
47,712 |
3,976 |
1,988 |
1,836 |
918 |
6 |
54,631 |
4,553 |
2,277 |
2,102 |
1,051 |
7 |
61,550 |
5,130 |
2,565 |
2,368 |
1,184 |
8 |
68,469 |
5,706 |
2,853 |
2,634 |
1,317 |
Each Add'l Member Add |
6,919 |
577 |
289 |
267 |
134 |
Each eligible Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program participant receives six $5.00 checks (a total of $30.00 for the season) to purchase fruits, vegetables and herbs from authorized farmers. Grocery stores and other markets cannot accept Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks. The checks are issued at one time for the entire season.
New Jersey WIC Services determines the length of operation of the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program each season.for 2009, the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program will run from June 1, 2009 to November 30, 2009.
To participate in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, a farmer must grow at least 35% of the produce sold to Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program participants. The remainder of the produce must be purchased from other participating farmers in New Jersey or neighboring states. Qualified farmers from New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware may also participate in the program.
For additional information, please contact your local county Office on Aging and ask for information regarding the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
Offices on Aging
| County |
Cities |
- Atlantic 609-645-7700 ext 4705
- Bergen 201-336-7411
- Burlington 609-265-5069
- Camden 865-858-2641
- Cape May 609-886-2784/2785
- Cumberland 856-453-2221
- Essex 973-395-8375
- Gloucester 856-232-4646 ext. 4903
- Hudson 201-271-4320
- Hunterdon 908-788-1361 or 1362
- Mercer 609-989-6650 or 6652
- Middlesex 732 745-3293 or 3295
- Monmouth 732-431-7450
- Morris 973-285-6857
- Ocean 732-367-1400 ext 25
- Passaic 973-569-4070
- Salem 856-339-8622
- Somerset 908-704-6346
- Sussex 973-579-0555
- Union 908-527-4877
- Warren 908-475-6591
|
- Jersey City 201-547-5838
- Paterson 973-321-1235
|
|
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children
