Each year, Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging’s (LMTAAA) Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides $80 in fresh fruits and vegetables to older adults who meet age and income guidelines.
The 2026 SFMNP application season opened April 15. By the second day, a third of the benefit cards allocated for Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties were claimed. One week later, applications surpassed the halfway mark. Both are new records, a news release from the LMTAAA stated.
Older adults who meet program rules are able to apply quickly at lmtaaa.org. Personalized assistance can be reached by calling 360-664-2168. Applications will close Sept. 30, or when the maximum number of participants are met. Last year, that happened in late June. This year, that limit could be reached in May.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a no-cost benefit funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plus state and local support. It provides vital nutrition to a demographic which continues to face rising food insecurity.
In a recent community survey by LMTAAA, 17% of takers reported barriers to accessing or eating nutritional food. Eighty-six percent of participants reported cost as the top reason, according to the news release.
Addressing food insecurity is a top priority of LMTAAA’s 2024-2027 Area Plan.
