# What the Farmers' Market Expansion Act of 2024 Does

This bill makes a simple but meaningful change to a federal program that helps seniors buy fresh food at farmers' markets. Right now, the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program gives eligible older adults vouchers they can use to purchase fresh produce and herbs directly from local farmers' markets. This bill adds tree nuts—including almonds, walnuts, pecans, and other nuts whether they're in the shell or already shelled—to the list of foods seniors can buy with these vouchers.

The practical effect is straightforward: seniors who qualify for this program will have more nutritious food options available to them. Tree nuts are packed with protein, healthy fats, and important vitamins and minerals, so expanding the program to include them gives older adults better access to nutrient-dense foods. For farmers who grow or sell tree nuts, this opens up a new market at farmers' markets, potentially helping small agricultural producers reach more customers. It also supports local food systems by encouraging seniors to shop at farmers' markets rather than relying solely on grocery stores.

The change is relatively modest in scope—it's not creating a brand new program or dramatically increasing funding. Instead, it's adjusting what existing program participants can purchase with their current vouchers. For seniors already using the program, this simply means more choices when they visit their local farmers' market. For those who haven't qualified or participated before, the program itself remains unchanged; this bill just makes the existing benefit slightly more valuable by expanding what counts as an eligible food purchase.

Farmers’ Market Expansion Act of 2024

Moore, Barry

Farmers’ Market Expansion Act of 2024This bill includes tree nuts (including shelled tree nuts) as one of the eligible foods under the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).&nbsp;The Department of Agriculture's&nbsp;SFMNP provides grants to participating states to provide low-income seniors with coupons/vouchers that&nbsp;may be used at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs to purchase eligible foods (i.e., fresh, nutritious, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey).