Rep. Troy Announces Update to Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

COLUMBUS - State Representative Daniel P. Troy (D-Willowick) today announced that the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) is modernizing the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) by allowing participants to use a mobile application. Eligible seniors can continue using a physical card.

“I am pleased to announce this innovation from the Ohio Department of Aging that will allow for more flexibility and ease of use for seniors participating in this program,” said Rep. Troy. “Under the current system, seniors receive the benefit as a printed coupon in units of $5. Through the app, participants can use their benefit in any increment. Additionally, some may find it more convenient to have a digital account, as opposed to managing physical coupons. However, for those that prefer a physical format, they can continue to redeem printed coupons.”

Homegrown Benefits will build and maintain the SFMNP app. Ohioans can download the “Homegrown Benefits – for eFMNP” app on the Apple Store as well as the Google Play store. The Homegrown Benefits website will also allow Ohioans to manage their SFMNP accounts.

Qualifying Older Ohioans receive $50 each year to be used at farmers markets throughout the state, a program beneficial to seniors on fixed incomes and to local farmers. To be eligible for the program, Ohioans must be 60 or older and earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Participants must re-apply every year to continue receiving funding. Applications can be found here: Aging.Ohio.gov/SFMNP

Local Area Agencies on Aging administer the SFMNP. Funding for the app development came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ODA was given nearly $4 million to expand the SFMNP’s offerings.

Rep. Troy also introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to provide a supplemental benefit allotment to qualifying senior citizen households participating in the federal SNAP program (HB 428). Additionally, he serves on the Ohio Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Commission and has introduced other bills to improve the lives of older Ohioans, including increasing and expanding the Homestead Exemption (HB 60), designating May as Older Ohioans Month (HB 173), and increasing penalties on elder abuse (HB 419).