New York offers programs to help low-income families access farm-fresh food

Aiming to help increase access to fresh food and encourage consumers to visit the state’s farmers markets and farm stands, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced several programs available to help low-income families, veterans, service members and older adults purchase fresh, healthy foods at local farmers markets through the state ag department’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and FreshConnect Checks Program.

The state has over 700 farmers markets, farm stands and mobile markets participating in the two programs, supplying healthy homegrown foods to communities across the state, according to a release. 

"Every New Yorker deserves access to local, farm-fresh food that keeps them healthy and makes them feel good," Ball said in the release. “Here in New York, we are lucky to be home to some of the best growers and producers in the country, and farmers markets are critical tools that connect producers directly to consumers, enhance our local food supply chain, and bolster the New York state agricultural industry. We want to ensure that everyone who is eligible knows that they can tap into programs like our FreshConnect Checks and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to purchase healthy, delicious, local foods."

The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program promotes local producers by expanding their sales at farmers markets and farm stands and fosters healthy communities though the consumption of locally grown foods, the release said.

Consumers who are eligible are provided with coupons to use for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, farm stands and mobile markets in New York state. Low-income older adults (aged 60 years or older) and individuals enrolled in WIC (the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) who live in the state may be eligible to receive coupons. Older adults must contact their local county Office for the Aging for more information on where to receive Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons. Individuals enrolled in WIC may contact their WIC clinic to ask how they can get coupons.

"NYSOFA is proud to partner with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in supporting the nutritional health of older adults as well as the health of our farming economy,” New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said in the release. “The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is extraordinarily popular and provides older adults with farm-fresh produce grown right in their community, offering many nutritional benefits to help prevent illness, improve brain health, maintain energy, and so much more. Farmers markets also provide an important place for people to get out, see their neighbors and interact to overcome social isolation.”

Olson encourages people to find out eligibility for this program by contacting N.Y. Connects at 1-800-342-9871.

Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new initiative to double the buying power for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients at farmers markets throughout New York state. The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative now provides eligible New Yorkers with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $50 per day at participating farmers markets, which allows families in need to purchase more healthy food, including produce, dairy and meats, the release said. 

This new initiative is part of the long-standing FreshConnect Checks Program, which helps expand access to fresh food in underserved communities and to foster economic development by supporting local producers. By allowing the purchase of dairy products, meats and more in addition to the purchase of fruits and vegetables, the FreshConnect Checks Program supports additional producers across the state.

New York state has more than 400 farmers markets, 250 farm stands and 10 mobile market operators, the release said. They provide outlets for agricultural producers to meet the rising consumer demand for a variety of fresh, affordable and convenient products grown directly from the farm.