The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), an initiative of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), along with the Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) and Farm Fresh RI, is being updated for 2024, and will provide an estimated 10,000 eligible seniors with fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables, as well as local honey.

The purpose of the SFMNP is to keep food security funds in Rhode Island, to provide eligible seniors with improved access to locally grown food, and to support local agriculture.

DEM is working closely with the OHA to identify communities in need of assistance and to ensure a widespread and equitable distribution throughout the state. New this year, DEM will be following on the success of the Rhode Island Department of Health’s WIC Farmers Market electronic benefit model by providing eligible seniors with a benefit card preloaded with $50 that can be used at eligible farmers markets and farm stands in exchange for local produce, herbs, and honey.

This is a change from 2023, when eligible seniors were provided with a box of produce. The proposed change was welcome news to Bristol Senior Center Director Donna Wilson, who appreciates that it will give seniors more choice.

SFMNP benefit cards will be distributed from senior centers throughout the state beginning on May 1 and can be used from May 1 to Nov. 30. Details are still being finalized, according to Kim Wetherald, director of Volunteer Services with the East Bay Community Action Program, which is part of the team of social service agencies that will be tasked with executing the program.

“We are excited to build off the success of last year’s SFMNP season with this upgrade to provide even more eligible Rhode Island seniors with access to healthy foods provided by local farmers,” said DEM Director Terry Gray.

“This partnership is especially exciting because participants can purchase fresh, locally grown food of their choosing,” said OHA Director Maria Cimini.

For homebound seniors, DEM has teamed up with Project DASH at DoorDash to provide produce boxes in partnership with Farm Fresh RI, which will source and pack these boxes. As with the 2023 season, DEM will be buying wholesale from local farmers to provide local produce for this program while working alongside senior organizations and communities to inform their populations about the SFMNP program.

The new SFMNP food benefit cards will be redeemable anytime throughout the farmers market season, and will be distributed to more than 90 different senior sites across the state. Any Rhode Island-based organization that works with seniors and wants to learn more abou5 the program is encouraged to contact DEM’s Division of Agriculture at dem.sfmnp@dem.ri.gov. These benefits will be distributed until all funding has been utilized.

Participants will not need a smartphone or other device to receive or access these benefits. Eligible participants will be issued a physical card holding their benefit balance. Each of these cards will be embedded with a QR code that producers will be able to scan to process a transaction. DEM’s Division of Agriculture will be offering training sessions to senior site staff and producers who are interested.

Email dem.sfmnp@dem.ri.gov if you are interested in receiving updates on the program.