Food benefits for seniors
Information about the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
About the program
LDAF secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to participate in the 2026 program allowing senior citizens to buy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey at farmers markets and roadside stands.
Applying for benefits
You must apply every year. Seniors who received food benefits in 2025 will not automatically receive them this year.
When available and if eligible, you may apply online or contact your parish Council on Aging for assistance to participate in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Eligibility:
Age: 60 years or older on the day you apply
Income: Household income before tax (gross income) must not exceed:
$2,413 monthly if one person in household
$3,261 monthly if two people in household
If you are already enrolled in any of the programs below, you pre-qualify for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program because the income level to qualify for these programs is less than for this program. (You still need to complete and application to participate).
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food for Seniors Program
Louisiana Purchase Card (SNAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Medicaid
Instructions for Online SFMNP Senior Participant Application
1. Access online SFMNP participant application at the following link: https://shopper.soliportal.com/auth/sign-up/la
2. Enter all requested information in the fields provided and select the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page. NOTE: If any required fields are not complete and are outlined in red, you will not be able to submit your application.
3. On the following screen titled “Please review the application for accuracy,” review the information that has been entered and then select the “I confirm data is correct” button at the bottom of the page if all the information is correct or select the “Edit” button at the bottom of the page to make updates. If you choose the “Edit” option to make updates, you will then have to select the “Submit” button again once the changes have been made and then “I confirm data is correct” on the following screen to submit your application.
4. Once your application has been submitted, the following message will appear: “Sign Up Complete! Thank you for applying for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. A program administrator will review your application and determine your eligibility. Note: If another household member needs to submit an application, please click the red ‘New Application’ button. Otherwise, select ‘Close.’”
5. After applying, access and review nutrition education tip sheet, “Healthy Eating for Older Adults,” at the following link: Healthy Eating for Older Adults
Using your benefits card
Each person who qualifies receives food benefits in the amount of $30 that will be loaded onto a card. Participants who still have their food benefits cards from previous years will have them reloaded, and new food benefits cards will be issued to new participants and previous participants who need replacement cards. You can use the card to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey from participating farmers at approved farmers markets and roadside stands (or farm stands). Please see the following listing of farmers markets and roadside stands approved to accept SFMNP food benefits cards: farmers market directory . You cannot use the card in grocery stores or with non-participating farmers.
Food benefits will be issued this year by the end of May, and they are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Current issued food benefits expire November 30, 2026.
When making a purchase, present the benefit card as you would a debit or credit card. The farmer will scan the card and enter the amount, and you will confirm the amount by entering a PIN number. Your transaction is complete.
Checking your card balance
If you have a benefits card, you can check your balance online .