Farmers Market Voucher/Coupon Program

There are two components to the Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (FMNPs), the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) FMNP, WFMNP and the Senior FMNP, SFMNP. FMNPs provide a direct tie between production agriculture and nutrition by providing seniors and nutritionally at risk women and children the opportunity to buy fresh local produce directly from farmers.

Goals of the Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (FMNPs)r:

1) To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from farmers markets and roadside stands to low-income seniors and nutritionally at risk women and children.

2) To increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of farmers markets, roadside stands.

3) To develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers markets, roadside stands.


Eligibility Requirements

How to Apply for SENIOR FMNP Coupons

How to Apply for WIC FMNP Coupons

How To Use Your FMNP Coupons

FMNP Market Redemption Sites

SENIOR Eligibility Requirements

No person is "entitled" to SFMNP checks; as the budget does not allow enough checks to satisfy everyone who wishes to receive them and is eligible. Issuance is on a first come-first serve basis until all available funds are expended.

Senior FMNP- Both criteria must be met in order to receive SFMNP coupons.

1. Age - person must be 60 years of age or older on the day of application, no one under age 60 is eligible.

2. Income level - to be eligible on the basis of income, recipients’ gross household income must not exceed the following limits:
$1,756.00 monthly……for a household of ------1
$2,371.00 monthly……for a household of ------2
$2,987.00 monthly……for a household of ------3
$3,604.00 monthly……for a household of ------4
$4,219.00 monthly……for a household of ------5
$4,835.00 monthly……for a household of ------6
$5,452.00 monthly……for a household of ------7
$6,067.00 monthly……for a household of ------8

(Household: a group of related or non-related individuals living together as one economic unit. These amounts are at 165% of 2020-2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines.)

How To Apply for SENIOR FMNP Coupons

The Senior FMNP is administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Farmers Market Authority Section to provide coupons to low-income seniors that are 60 years of age or older that can be used to purchase eligible foods (fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh-cut herbs) from farmers that grow them and are selling them directly to you at local farmers markets and roadside stands.

If you are interested in applying for the SFMNP vouchers, you can complete and submit an application on our web site by clicking here. If approved, you will receive your vouchers by mail to be used at Farmers Market Authority (FMA) approved markets and roadside stands. The coupons/vouchers must be expended by November 15 of the calendar year you receive them.


How To Apply for WIC FMNP Coupons

The WIC FMNP is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, generally known as WIC. The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education at no cost to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to 5 years of age, who are found to be at nutritional risk. One must meet income requirements and have a nutritional risk that proper nutrition could help to improve.

To apply to be a WIC participant, you will need to contact https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/wic/ or call 1-888-942-4673 to set up an appointment. WIC FMNP is only available in the following AL counties: Blount, Dallas, Hale, Houston, Lawrence, Madison, Morgan, and Tuscaloosa.


How To Use Your FMNP Coupons

Choose a farmers market from our list of redemption sites; click here to find a farmers market in your area. All markets are self -governing. It is important that you note the markets days and hours of operation and inquire locally for exact opening and closing dates. (These dates may or may not coincide with the valid dates to redeem FMNP coupons, April 15 - November 15). Vouchers expire every year and they must be used in the year issued.

Walk through the market to compare the variety, quality and price of the produce items on display at each farmer's stand before deciding what you will buy. 

Use your FMNP coupons to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from farmers who display the "Farmers Market Nutrition Program" sign. If you have any questions about selecting and preparing fresh produce, please ask the farmers.

Each WIC coupon is worth $4.00 and a SFMNP coupon is worth $6.00. You cannot receive change from a coupon. If your purchase is less than the amount of one or more coupons, the farmer will add more fruits and vegetables of your choice to make up the difference.

You are welcome to use cash at the market to buy additional fresh produce.

You cannot use your coupons to buy non-produce items, ornamental pumpkins, or gourds.

FMNP coupons cannot be used at a grocery store or any location that is not listed on our redemption site.