BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A program that offers low-income people — particularly women, children and seniors — fresh produce again is about to end for the year with vouchers outstanding.
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which has had underperforming results in recent years, gives seniors and WIC recipients until the end of this month to use their vouchers.
Last year, in Lehigh and Northampton counties, only 24,063 vouchers out of 52,462 vouchers distributed to seniors and WIC recipients were redeemed, according to program figures.
That's just over a 45% redemption rate.
The state says it's designed to provide "WIC recipients and low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from approved farmers' in Pennsylvania."Farmer's Market Nutrition Program web page
The state webpage about the program says it's designed to provide "WIC recipients and low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from approved farmers' in Pennsylvania."
Only authorized farmers may accept and redeem checks from the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, or FMNP, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, or SFMNP.
FMNP season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for seniors beginning in June, typically running through September.
WIC recipients get the benefit during their quarterly visit from May through September.
Eligible seniors receive five $5 SFMNP checks and each WIC recipient gets three $10 FMNP checks.
Low redemption rates
Last year, in Lehigh County, 10,845 SFMNP vouchers were issued and 8,306 were redeemed and 17,415 FMNP vouchers were issued and only 6,428 were redeemed.
Redemption rates in Northampton County were similar, with 9,792 of 14,233 issued SFMNP vouchers being redeemed and 3,873 FMNP vouchers redeemed out of the 9,969 issued in 2024.
The state increased the number of seniors served last year — from 36,218 to 40,225 statewide — after getting an $8.8 million federal funding boost for the program.
A list of approved farmers who accept vouchers is available online at pameals.pa.gov/public/farmmarketsearch or on the FMNP Market Locator app on Apple or Android devices.Farmer's Market Nutrition Program
A list of approved farmers who accept vouchers is available online at pameals.pa.gov/public/farmmarketsearch or on the FMNP Market Locator app on Apple or Android devices.
There are 34 participating farm markets and farm stands approved to accept vouchers in Lehigh County and 21 in Northampton County.
Checks can only be used for produce grown in Pennsylvania and can't be used at grocery stores, non-local retailers or local farms that have not signed up to accept the vouchers,according to Fresh Food Access Lehigh Valley.
A seasonal produce calendar from PAPreferred.com can be found online.
Applications for the vouchers also are accepted through the distribution period. Seniors 60 and older who meet the household income guidelines must apply through their county's area agency on aging.
Both Lehigh and Northampton County area agencies on aging accept mail-in applications. Application forms (in English and Spanish) and a list of agencies is available online.
