Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Returns June 1, Providing Fresh Produce Access to SC Seniors

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS) has announced the return of the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) for 2025, a USDA grant initiative designed to connect eligible seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprocessed fruits and vegetables from local farmers’ markets. The program aims to increase awareness and utilization of community markets across the state.

South Carolina’s SFMNP, which began as a six-county pilot project in 2001, has expanded significantly and now provides benefits to seniors in 46 counties. This year, qualifying individuals will receive five $10 checks, totaling $50, which can be used to purchase fresh produce from authorized local farmers and markets.

The 2025 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program officially begins on June 1. Applications for benefits will be completed in-person only at approved, local senior-serving organizations. There will be no online application process for the 2025 program. Benefits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet specific criteria:

• Age: Individuals must be 60 years of age or older on the date of application.
• Residence: Applicants must reside in one of the 46 participating counties and attend a distribution event in their county of residence.
• Income Level: Total household income, before taxes, cannot exceed 185% of the federal poverty income limits. A household is defined as a group of related or non-related individuals living together as one economic unit.

Potential recipients must bring proof of identity, such as a valid S.C. Driver’s License or State Issued Identification Card, to apply. Applicants will self-declare their annual gross income and household size, regardless of whether they are applying jointly or individually. Once an application is approved, SFMNP checks will be distributed at the same location. Proof of identity is also required to pick up the checks.

Applicants may designate an Authorized Representative (AR) to apply and pick up SFMNP checks on their behalf if they are unable to attend in person. An AR can represent a maximum of two individuals in addition to themselves and must present their own photo ID, a physical copy or image of the applicant’s ID, and written/signed permission from the applicant.