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CDFA - Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

CDFA - Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Phone number
(916) 214-1381
Category
Senior
Food
Farmer
Auto tags
Eligibility
California seniors 60+ with household income at or below 185% federal poverty (~$2,413/mo single, $3,261/mo for 2). Self-certified. One card per senior per season.
Auto Summary
California seniors 60+ with household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (about $2,413/month for 1 person, $3,261/month for 2) can get a $50 Farmers' Market EBT card each year to buy fresh produce, herbs, and raw honey at WIC-authorized farmers' markets. The 2026 season runs May–September. Cards are distributed through county Area Agencies on Aging — not by CDFA directly.
Value
$50/season EBT card for fresh produce at California farmers' markets, plus possible local match dollars
Espanol
Programa de Nutrición del Mercado de Agricultores para Personas Mayores (CDFA) - Programa federal que proporciona tarjetas electrónicas de beneficios a personas mayores de 60 años con ingresos limitados para comprar productos frescos y locales en mercados de agricultores certificados. La temporada de beneficios es de mayo a septiembre.
URL
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/SeniorFarmersMrktNutritionPrgm/
Last verified 2026-05-17
The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) gives seniors aged 60+ with low income a $50 electronic benefit card to spend on fresh produce, cut herbs, and raw honey at participating California farmers' markets. It's funded by USDA and run in California by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The 2026 season runs May through September. [Source: cdfa.ca.gov/SeniorFarmersMrktNutritionPrgm (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Who qualifies

You can get SFMNP benefits if all of these are true:
  • You are 60 or older.
  • You live in California.
  • Your household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For 2025–2026 that's about:
    • 1 person: $2,413/month (≈ $28,953/year)
    • 2 people: $3,261/month (≈ $39,128/year)
    • Add roughly $848/month for each additional person.
  • You did not already receive an SFMNP card for this season. One card per senior, per year.
[Source: fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/income-eligibility-guidelines-2025-26 (accessed 2026-05-17)]
You self-certify your income — you don't have to bring pay stubs or tax returns. If you already get CalFresh, SSI, Medicaid, or live in HUD-subsidized senior housing, you almost certainly qualify on income.

What you get

  • $50 per eligible senior, per season, loaded onto a Farmers' Market EBT card (CDFA switched from paper checks to cards in 2025).
  • Use it to buy fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables, cut herbs, and raw honey. Nothing else — no prepared foods, no eggs, no meat.
  • You can spend it in any dollar amount at the market. Lost or stolen cards can be replaced.
Some local programs stack extra dollars on top of the $50 (Market Match, CalFresh bonus dollars). Ask at the market info booth — you may be able to double your produce buying power.

How to apply

CDFA does not take applications directly. Cards are handed out through your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at distribution events, senior centers, and partner sites between May and September.
  1. Find your county's AAA on the CDFA Local Agencies contact sheet.
  1. Call them and ask when and where SFMNP cards are being distributed near you. Quantities are limited and cards go fast — call early in the season.
  1. Bring ID showing you're 60+ and your California address. You'll sign a short self-certification of income.
  1. Activate the card following the instructions in the packet, then spend it at any WIC-Authorized Farmers' Market before the season ends.
In Nevada County, Gold Country and surrounding counties: the local AAA is Agency on Aging \ Area 4 — call (916) 486-1876 or check the list above for the most current local contact.

Common pitfalls

  • Don't wait. Cards are limited each year. Once your county's AAA runs out, that's it until next May.
  • One card per senior, not per household. A married couple both 60+ can each get a card if they each qualify.
  • The card only works at WIC-authorized farmers' markets — not every market in California is authorized. Check the list before you go.
  • Use it before the season closes (usually end of September). Unused balance is forfeited.
  • You don't need to be a citizen to qualify, but you do need to live in California.

Where to get help

  • Your county Area Agency on Aging — see the contact sheet above.
  • California 211: dial 211 for free local referrals to senior food programs.

Sources