UPDATE re 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program application open through May 22

2026 Ohio Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Enrollment

As of May 12, please note that several counties have already reached their maximum number of approved participants and are no longer accepting applications. Counties at Capacity (No Longer Accepting Applications) and Counties with limited availability are listed below:

The following counties have reached their funding limits:

• Champaign County (maximum reached)
• Clark County (maximum reached)
• Darke County (maximum reached)
• Greene County (maximum reached)
• Logan County (maximum reached)
• Montgomery County (maximum reached)
• Miami County (maximum reached)
• Preble County (maximum reached)

Counties Still Accepting Applications (Limited Availability)
Applications are still open in the following county, but space is limited:

• Shelby County 22 spots remaining

Important Notice
Participation is first-come/first-served until county funding is fully allocated. We encourage eligible seniors in open counties to apply as soon as possible.

Information from the original SFMNP announcement:

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) enrollment is now open and application for the 2026 season of the SFMNP is available online at aging.ohio.gov/SFMNP. The application deadline is Friday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

The 2026 Ohio Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) helps to provide low-income older adults with access to fresh, nutritious, unprepared locally grown fruit, vegetables, fresh cut herbs, and honey through farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Eligible participants receive $50 in benefits to use at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands. The $50 benefit can be used at any incremental amount from dollars to cents.

Click here for a Nutrition Education Fact Sheet from the Ohio Dept. of Aging.

Program eligibility

The program is available to applicants who are age 60 or older, residents of Ohio, and have an annual household income that is less than 185% of the poverty level. (Details are available on the application page, aging.ohio.gov/SFMNP).

Each eligible older adult in a household may apply. Applicants do not have to be Area Agency on Aging consumers. All past participants must apply yearly.

The Area Agency on Aging is available to assist those in our service area to determine if they are eligible for the program and with completing the application if needed. Please call (937) 223-HELP (4357) or (800) 258-7277, Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5pm.

2026 SFMNP Timeline

• Application opens April 22, 12:00pm EDT
• Recipients can begin redeeming benefits May 15
• Applications close May 22, at 6:00pm EDT
• Last day to redeem benefits is November 30

How do I apply?

Enrollment is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 22, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. On that time and date, the application form for the 2026 SFMNP season becomes available online at aging.ohio.gov/SFMNP. The application deadline is Friday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

How do I know if my online application was accepted or not accepted?

• If your application is approved, you will be notified upon submission through a confirmation pop-up screen on your web browser.
• If you provide your email address, you will also receive a confirmation email.
• If the county in which you reside meets the allocated number of recipients before May 22, you will receive the following notification:
  “Thank you for your interest and application to the Ohio Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Unfortunately, the annual funding limit has been reached in your area and we are unable to issue you a benefit in 2026. However, submitting your application allows us to document Ohioans’ unmet needs and advocate for increased funding. For the past two years, Ohio’s program was uplifted by the temporary federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds which expired in September 2025. We encourage you to apply again in Spring 2027. If you provided an email address within your application, it will be added to communications to notify you of the 2027 season opening.”

My application was accepted, when and how do I receive the $50 benefit?

• If accepted, you can use your benefit at authorized markets from May 15 to November 30. After the November 30 redemption deadline, any unspent benefits will expire.
• If you participated last year and have your card, after entering your card number upon application, it will automatically be refilled with the $50 benefit on May 15.
• If you requested a card to be sent, the card will arrive 4-6 weeks to the address provided on your application.
• If you are using the Homegrown app, the $50 benefit will automatically be loaded to your account on May 15.
• If you are new to the program and need assistance with setting up your account, “Resources for Older Ohioans” is a step-by-step guide to assist with setting up accounts.

May I request a physical card for my $50 benefit?

• Physical cards are available by request at the time of application only. Delivery may take 4–6 weeks. Retain your card for future use, as it may be reloaded if you are approved in subsequent years. Existing cardholders can enter their card number in the application for faster benefit distribution.

How do I use my benefit?

• Click here for a list of authorized vendors, choose the produce you want to purchase.
• Use your Homegrown app or card to show the farmer your QR code.
• The farmer will scan your QR code and charge using your SFMNP benefits. This amount will deduct automatically from your $50 in benefits.
• The $50 benefit can be used at any incremental amount from dollars to cents.

What has changed for Ohio’s 2026 SFMNP?

The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds expired September 30, 2025, returning the overall budget for the program to its original levels. This reduces the number of older adults who can participate in the 2026 program season. To better understand potential unmet need and ensure full use of benefits issued, there is an application deadline of Friday, May 22. Applications will no longer be accepted after this date. 

SFMNP Help

Click here to learn how to use benefits: mobile benefit option, QR code and/or physical benefit card.

Starting May 1, please reach out to Homegrown Benefits Support Line for any technical assistance including issues with the mobile app, checking benefit balance, resetting your password and setting up an account. 

Homegrown Benefits support line: (614) 412-1729 Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., or Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Find an authorized farmer or farmers market near you.

Click here for a list of authorized vendors in our region.

Farmers, roadside stands and market managers interested in becoming an authorized vendor, please visit: https://ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org/

Availability of SFMNP

This institution is an equal opportunity provider, eligible applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.