Free local produce for low-income seniors
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University of Missouri Extension
Lower-income older adults in Missouri may now enroll in the 2025 Missouri Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and enjoy fresh local produce at no cost.
The program, operated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, gives qualifying individuals a $50 benefit to spend on fresh vegetables, fruits, cooking herbs and local honey from authorized vendors at farmers markets and roadside stands from May through October.
Adults in participating counties who are age 60 or older and have an income within 185% of the federal poverty level qualify for the benefit.
University of Missouri Extension is one of several agencies that facilitates program enrollment through local contacts and events, said Lynn Pickerel, strategic communications associate for MU Extension Health and Human Sciences. Visit http://muext.us/SFM for a list of community enrollment events near you and contacts for each participating county.
In 2024, MU Extension helped the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provide $42,871 of local produce to more than 1,200 Missouri seniors. In a survey of participants, 77% said they consumed more vegetables and fruits because of the program. Pickerel said feedback from past program participants has been positive and included comments such as “The farmers market is a great place to get fresh produce and a way to get some steps in” and “I am grateful for the financial help toward fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Learn more about the Missouri Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program through the Missouri Grown website at https://agriculture.mo.gov/abd/missouri-grown.
Local vendors interested in participating in the program should contact Lexi Jose with the Missouri Department of Agriculture at 573-751-8596 or FarmersMarket@mda.mo.gov.
