The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs. The program is federally funded and administered locally by the County of Sonoma’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
SFMNP Age and Income Eligibility Guidelines
You are eligible to receive a booklet if:
- You have NOT already received a SFMNP booklet for the 2024 season.
- You are 60 years of age or older.
- Your household income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level (see below).
2024 Distribution Partners are Petaluma Bounty (PPSC), Council on Aging, and West County Community Services
Petaluma Bounty, a program of Petaluma People Services Center, is a distribution partner working with AAA to distribute SFMNP booklets at participating farmers markets in Sonoma County, California.
Petaluma People Services Center: (707) 765-8488 or cares@petalumapeople.org.
There are two other distribution partners for 2024: Council on Aging and West County Community Services. Please contact those organizations if you wish to receive booklets from them.
Council on Aging: (707) 525-0143 x120
West County Community Services: (707) 823-1640 x403
Designating an Individual (Proxy) to Receive and Make Purchases
Eligible seniors may designate an individual (proxy) to act as their authorized representative to receive an SFMNP check booklet and make purchases at certified farmers markets on their behalf. A proxy can be an authorized representative to a maximum of five participants and must have a proxy form filled out and signed by the senior they are representing. You can download the proxy form at the links below.
Where and When Will Petaluma Bounty Distribute SFMNP?
Petaluma Bounty will distribute SFMNP booklets at the following farmers markets on the dates listed.
- Santa Rosa Community Farmers Market – Wednesday (1501 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa) on July 3
- Santa Rosa Original Farmers Market – Saturday (Luther Burbank Center) on July 6
- Petaluma East Side Farmers Market (320 N. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma) on July 9
- Cotati Farmers Market (La Plaza) on July 10
- Healdsburg Farmers Market – Saturday (One block west of the Plaza) on July 13
- Sebastopol Farmers Market (Sebastopol Plaza) on July 14
- Sonoma Valley Farmers Market (Arnold Field parking lot) on July 19
Please understand that there are a limited number of booklets and they’ll be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. We are unable to hold booklets for anyone.
Program Guidelines
Receiving SFMNP Booklets
- Beneficiaries must complete a SFMNP Self-Certification Form
- Beneficiaries may designate a proxy to pick up their booklet by completing the Proxy Form
- Each booklet contains 5 checks, $10/check ($50-worth total)
Where and How to Make Purchases with SFMNP
SFMNP vouchers can be used only at certified farmers’ markets (Click here or scroll to the bottom of this page to see a list of certified farmers markets in Sonoma County). Please note that SFMNP can be used at any authorized certified farmers market, not just the farmers market you receive your booklets at.
Vouchers must be used to purchase from WIC-certified vendors. No change given. Each $10 check must be used at one farm stall and cannot be split among two or more vendors.
What You Can Buy with SFMNP
California grown fresh (unprepared) fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs.
Usage Deadline (Nov. 30, 2024)
2024 SFMNP vouchers must be used on or before November 30, 2024.
Why We Don’t Have ‘Senior Bounty Bucks’ This Year
In 2023, Petaluma Bounty ran a program called Senior Bounty Bucks that extended the benefits of SFMNP. Senior Bounty Bucks offered extra farmers market vouchers to SFMNP seniors so they could continue to purchase fresh, locally grown produce. The Senior Bounty Bucks program was funded by the state’s California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) and ran monthly from August 2023 to January 2024.
This year, for the 2024-25 season, we are unable to run this program because of state funding uncertainty.
In January 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his 2024-25 state budget proposal. Responding to a projected tax revenue shortfall, the governor reduced the spending budget including slashing millions from CNIP, thus blocking CNIP’s ability to offer any new grants for the 2024 season.
In late May, 2024, the State Legislature released its joint proposed budget which restored CNIP funding. Although this is good news, funding is yet to be finalized and is too late for the 2024 season.
How CNIP grants and nutrition incentive funds will be administered in 2025 and beyond is yet to be seen. Petaluma Bounty/PPSC will monitor the situation and continue to advocate for and act in the best interest of seniors in need.
Food Resource Guide for Seniors in Sonoma County, California
There are a number of resources seniors can access for food access. Please see below for our Food Resource Guide for Seniors in English and Spanish. On the Guides, we have a list of state leaders people can reach out to to advocate for more funding for senior programs such as SFMNP.
A List of Certified Farmers Markets in Sonoma County, California
Here’s a list of certified farmers markets in Sonoma County, California, provided by AAA.