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The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides fresh fruit and vegetables to lower-income seniors with the goal of improving their health and nutritional status. It also supports local farming by increasing the use of farmers markets and roadside stands. It is funded in part by USDA federal funding.
Your Rights
As an applicant/participant of SFMNP you have the right:
▪ to be treated with dignity, respect and without discrimination;
▪ to be notified in writing within 15 days of application if you are not determined eligible;
▪ to appeal an ineligibility decision if you feel that determination was made in error;
▪ to have information you provided kept private unless you request for it to be shared;
▪ to make a complaint if you feel you have not been treated fairly;
▪ to have clear directions of how and where to use the benefits you receive;
▪ to learn about other services that may be available to you. You may contact Senior Information & Assistance if you wish to find out about other services for seniors in your area.
Your Responsibilities
As an applicant/participant of SFMNP you have the responsibility:
▪ to give correct information to the best of your knowledge to determine eligibility;
▪ to understand that giving false information and/or intentionally concealing facts could result in your paying back benefits or legal action;
▪ to understand that attempting to collect benefits more than once or at multiple distribution sites during a season will result in termination from the program;
▪ to consume the fresh produce obtained through this program yourself;
▪ to safeguard the benefits you recieve. Please report if they are lost or stolen to the agency who issued your benefits; lost or stolen benefit cards may be replaced by the issuing agency;
▪ to redeem your benefits with an Authorized Farmer between June 1 and October 31;
▪ to understand that funding is limited for this program and it is served on a first come, first served basis until funding runs out.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.
To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
Fax: (202) 690-7442
Email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.