Farmer's Market Checks 2023 Program Info

Update on August 9, 2023

All market checks allotted to Heritage AAA for 2023 have been dispersed. Heritage will not receive any more checks this season. Thank you to our consumers for their overwhelming support of this program!

Check back with Heritage in May 2024 regarding next summer’s program.

What is the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)?

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program – sometimes called “market checks” or “market vouchers” – provides an annual allotment of checks to redeem at participating area farmers markets for fresh produce and honey. Participating vendors will have a placard on display at their stall.

For 2023, the program will provide ten $5.00 checks ($50.00 total). The 2023 season runs from June 1 – October 31.

Who is eligible?

Participants must…

  • Be 60 or older at the time of applying;

  • Live in the Heritage AAA service region: Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties; and

  • Meet income guidelines set by the Dept. of Agriculture:

    • Single: yearly income less than $26,973 (equal to $2,248 per month)

    • Couples: yearly income less than $36,482 (equal to $3,040 per month)

How do I apply?

Everyone who received checks from Heritage AAA in 2022 will automatically be mailed an application for 2023. If you did not participate in 2022, please call Denise at Heritage AAA to provide your name and contact information: 319-398-7682.

Applications received by Heritage AAA will be reviewed for eligibility. Heritage AAA will begin mailing checks to eligible applicants starting the second week of June.

FAQs

What if both individuals in the household are 60+ and meet the income guidelines?
Couples may qualify for each person to receive a set of checks. Each person must complete and submit their own application.

If I can’t go to the market, can someone use my checks for me?
Participants can designate someone as a “proxy” to attend the market and redeem checks on their behalf.

Can I sign up in-person?
Heritage AAA staff will attend a handful of markets over the season to offer in-person registration, but will not be at every market in our region. Your best bet for signing up and receiving checks in a timely manner is to mail in the application.

If I use my ten checks before the season ends, can I receive another set?
You cannot. Each individual can receive only one set of checks per year.

Can vendors make change if my total is not a $5 increment?
Vendors cannot make change for SFMNP checks. For example, if you purchase $8 worth of tomatoes and use two $5 checks, the vendor cannot make change for the difference. In this scenario, Heritage AAA would recommend considering a different quantity that costs $5 or $10, or using one $5 check and $3 4cash. Smart shopping can help reduce waste when it comes to your $50 allotment.

Can I use my checks to buy produce or honey at the grocery store?
You cannot. SFMNP checks are only valid with participating vendors at farmers markets.

How do I know which vendors accept SFMNP checks?
Participating vendors will have a placard like the one below on display at their stall.

Harrison March