Old SFMNP page as of 5/18/18

Last Updated 05/18/18

In 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) created the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) to provide low-income seniors with eligible foods through farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. SFMNP provides fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs to the eligible service population during “harvest season,” which is April 1 through September 30 each year.  Through the SFMNP, seniors are provided with nutrition education to emphasize the relationship of proper nutrition to good health, including the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables.

The Office of Community Service (OCS) is excited to announce that in 2018, we have expanded the SFMNP to include the islands of Maui and Kauai.  We thank our new agency partners, Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO) and Hawaii Foodbank – Kauai for joining us and serving their respective communities.

OCS will issue $50 worth of coupons (10 coupons valued at $5 each) to eligible seniors to obtain eligible foods without charge from participating farmers, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands that have been approved to accept SFMNP coupons.  Coupons may be redeemed from participating vendors during the following periods:

• City and County of Honolulu: April 1, 2018 – September 30, 2018 – Click here for a list of participating Farmers’ Markets
• County of Maui: April 1, 2018 – September 30, 2018 – Click here for a list of participating Farmers’ Markets
• County of Kauai: April 1, 2018 – September 30, 2018 – Click here for a list of participating Farmers’ Markets
• County of Hawaii (Big Island): May 1, 2018 – September 30, 2018 – Click here for a list of participating Farmers’ Markets
  • 05/18/18 UPDATE:  Volcanic Activity Impact on farmers’ markets on Hawaii Island is as follows:
    • Nanawale Farmers’ Market is closed indefinitely
    • Cooper Center may close – may vary from week to week
    • Dimple Creek is open

The eligibility requirements to receive SFMNP benefits are as follows:

• Age Eligibility:  Individuals who are at least 60 years old, Native Americans who are at least 55 years old, or disabled individuals less than 60 years old living in housing facilities occupied primarily by older individuals where congregate nutrition services are provided.
• Income Eligibility:  Maximum household income of 185% or below of the US Federal Poverty Guidelines.
  • Individual Household – $25,826
  • Two-Person Household – $35,020.50
• Residency:  Participants must be a resident of the State of Hawaii and must reside in the county of the service area they apply to.

Seniors wishing to participate in the SFMNP that meet the above qualifications must submit an application to the Office of Community Services (OCS). For Oahu and Kauai only, we  have issued all the coupons that current funding allows.  Completed applications received for Oahu and Kauai that meet  SFMNP requirements will be put on a wait list in the order they are received.  If additional funding becomes available, we will issue coupons to those on the wait list.  Click here to download your 2018 SFMNP application.  Please submit completed applications to: Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Office of Community Services, 830 Punchbowl Street, Room 420, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.  Applications must be RECEIVED by OCS no later than Friday, September 21, 2018.  Applicants must be certified to participate each year, therefore, those who participated in the program last year must submit a new application this year.

For more information or questions, please contact your respective local agency:

County	Agency	Phone Number
Hawaii	Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC)	(808) 961-2681
Oahu	Hawaii Foodbank	(808) 954-7889/(808) 836-3600
Kauai	Hawaii Foodbank – Kauai	(808) 482-2224
Maui	Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO)	(808) 249-2990

 

Our funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2018 (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018) has not yet been finalized.  As of March 2018, OCS has received approximately $425,667 for SFMNP benefits for a caseload of 8,513 participants.  The allocation of funds per county are based on the 2015 U.S. Census Bureaus’ Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) for Hawaii.

Resources for Further Information

• Hawaii SFMNP State Plan for FFY 2017
• 7 USC §3007 – Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Regulations – 7 CFR Part 249
• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Policy Memos
• FNS Instruction 113 – Civil Rights
• SFMNP Fact Sheet July 2016

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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. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. This institution is an equal opportunity provider