Farmers' Market Resources

Consumers are expressing a renewed interest in buying food directly from the farmer or grower in their local areas. One reason for this consumer change is the new awareness of the importance of fresh vegetables and fruit in the diet, which are creating opportunities for marketing local produce to consumers through farmers’ markets. Also, the economic opportunities and rewards of the markets in a community’s development are being realized from community leaders.

Click here for list of Senior & WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Authorized Farmers.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

The Missouri Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (MoSFMNP) provides benefits to low-income seniors (60 years of age or older). Eligible seniors receive $50 in benefits annually, to be used for fresh fruit, vegetables, honey and herbs. Eligible individuals must reside in one of the following 47 Missouri counties:

Benefits can only be exchanged for eligible foods grown in Missouri or a bordering Illinois or Kansas county and sold at a farmers’ market or roadside stand with an authorized farmer.

Details:

• Benefits issued to eligible participants: June 1 to September 30.
• Participants can redeem benefits: June 1 to October 31.

To take part in the Missouri Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, seniors must provide age verification, income verification and residency verification. The MoSFMNP Customer Flyer will provide you with further information on eligibility and locations to apply.

Seniors

For more information, please call:
St. Louis area:
Jefferson, St. Louis & St. Charles Counties: 636-207-0847
Franklin County & St. Louis City: 1-888-515-0016
Kansas City area: 1-888-515-0016
Springfield area: 417-862-0762
Mid-Missouri area: 1-800-369-5211

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

The Missouri WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) provides $20 in benefits annually to eligible individuals. Benefits can be exchanged for eligible foods at a farmers’ market or roadside stand with an authorized farmer. Eligible individuals must reside in one of the following 47 Missouri counties:

Benefits can only be exchanged for eligible foods, grown in Missouri or a bordering Illinois or Kansas county and sold at a farmers’ market or roadside stand with an authorized farmer.

Details:

• Benefits issued to eligible participants: June 1 to September 30.
• Participants can redeem benefits: June 1 to October 31.

Missouri Farmers

For more information on how you can become an authorized farmer with the FMNP, view the Farmer Requirements document.

Structuring and Organizing your Market

To develop and maintain a viable farmers’ market, an organized and well thought out process needs to be implemented. The Missouri Grown Farmers' Market Handbook was created to guide you through this process and link you to all of the state, federal and local resources and regulations you will need.

The Missouri Grown Website offers a comprehensive listing of farmers’ markets in Missouri, contact names and market information. If your community would like assistance in organizing a farmers’ market or know of a farmers’ market that is not listed in Missouri Grown, please contact us.

Farmers Market Connectivity Cost-Share for Senior and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) will provide a reimbursement to Farmers Markets for the purchase of a Wi-Fi device of their choosing and/or the cost of a data plan for June through October (5 months). The Farmers Market must have at least one farmer that is authorized to accept Senior and WIC FMNP benefits for the 2023 program season. The Farmers Market will be responsible for purchasing the device and plan of their choosing and submitting paid receipts and proof of payment. If the plan allows a pre-pay option for multiple months, that is preferred. If pre-payment is not allowed, then reimbursement will occur after those five months have been paid in full and proof of payment provided, along with a completed reimbursement request form.

The Wi-Fi must be available for authorized farmers to connect to while selling at the Farmers Market in the program area. The reimbursement will be for half (50%) of the cost of the device and/or data plan up to $200 maximum. Purchases made after the award date are allowed. MDA cannot reimburse for past purchases prior to the award date.

For example, a device and five months of data costs $100, awardee is eligible for a total reimbursement of $50. If the device and five months of data costs $600, awardee is eligible for a total of $200.

The Farmers Market must be approved in MissouriBuys to be able to receive the reimbursement.

The Farmers Market manger must fill out this form and submit it to MDA for review. Once MDA has reviewed the information, the Farmers Market will receive an award letter to proceed with the purchase, or a denied letter.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and while funds are available, from March 31st until June 1st 2023. This will be a onetime reimbursement per Farmers Market.

FM Connectivity Application