WASHINGTON, April 28, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced final Fiscal Year 2009 grant awards to 50 state agencies and tribal organizations for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

"The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides an opportunity for low-income seniors to improve their diets and overall nutritional health by increasing their consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables," said Secretary Vilsack. "The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program also benefits local farmers because the program brings additional customers to their markets."

The SFMNP, which was established in 2001, provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. The SFMNP is intended to provide fresh, nutritious, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs to low-income seniors and to increase the consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the development of farmers' markets and other outlets.

The SFMNP, reauthorized under the recently-enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (also known as the 2008 Farm Bill), is expected to serve over 900,000 low-income senior citizens nationwide this season through grants to state agencies and Indian Tribal governments. This year, coupons for fresh produce will be accepted by over 16,600 farmers at more than 5,800 markets, roadside stands and CSA programs.

The new Farm Bill provides $20.6 million to operate the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program in 2009. Another $1.7 million is available from SFMNP funds that were unspent in Fiscal Year 2008. Fifty States and Tribal Organizations will receive funding in 2009, including two states that will be operating the program for the first time-Texas and Oklahoma.