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Senior Farm Direct Participants

The Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program provides income-eligible seniors with checks to purchase fresh, locally grown fruit, vegetables and cut, edible herbs directly from participating farmers at farmers markets and farm stands from June through November. Senior Farm Direct is a state-administered, federal nutrition program, and is intended to improve nutrition for Oregon seniors and support local farmers.

Participation does not affect medical assistance or SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits.

Contact the Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program at 1-866-299-3562 (toll-free).

We are no longer accepting responses for the 2022 Senior Farm Direct season.

All checks for the current season will be mailed by early July.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, seniors must meet ALL the following criteria:

  • Be at least 62 years old by April 1 of the current year;
  • Be receiving either SNAP benefits and/or Medicaid on April 1 of the current year;
  • Have income below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level in the current year; for 2022, monthly income below $1,563 for a household of one or below $2,106 for a household of two.
  • Be living in a situation where food is not provided for them.

Funding is limited and the program cannot always serve all eligible seniors.

How to receive Farm Direct checks

In late April, seniors will be notified by mail if they are eligible to participate in the program. Eligible seniors who choose to participate must sign and return the Response Card portion of the letter, or complete the Response webform, by the date indicated.

If more responses are received than funding allows, Oregon Health Authority will randomly select recipients from the responses received.

Senior Farm Direct participants will receive $32 in Farm Direct checks to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and cut, edible herbs from participating farmers at farmers markets and farm stands from June to November. This is an increased dollar amount for the 2022 season.


How to shop with Farm Direct checks

  • Take your checks to a participating farmers market or farm stand.
  • Look for these signs to find produce farmers who accept Farm Direct checks or ask market staff for help as needed.
FDNP sign
  • Choose the fresh, locally grown fruit, vegetables, or cut, edible herbs you want to buy.
  • Pay the farmer with your Farm Direct check(s).

You may have someone else shop for you using your checks.

Instructional videos

 
 

Tips for spending Farm Direct checks

  • Choose only locally grown produce (no bananas, oranges, pineapples, etc.).
  • You can use your checks one at a time, or all at once. With one farmer or more!
  • Farmers cannot provide change, so plan to spend the whole check amount.
  • Check the season dates of your local markets and farm stands and shop before they close for the season.
  • Keep your Farm Direct checks in a safe place. Lost or stolen checks cannot be replaced.
  • If possible, bring your own shopping bag or basket.
  • Spend your checks by November 30, 2022. Farmers are not paid for checks accepted from previous years.
  • Farm Direct checks are not accepted at regular grocery stores.

Oregon seasonality chart

Availability will vary by location.

Download as a PDF

Oregon Seasonality Chart

Resources

Contact information

Contact the Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program at 1-866-299-3562 (toll free).