Markets & Gardens

Locally sourced foods — like those grown at home or purchased at a farmers' market — have many benefits. They are often less expensive than other options and are a great way for older adults to fill the gaps in their diets with fresh, nutritious food. Nutrition programs can provide guidance and resources to help older adults find ways to eat local.

Seniors Farmers Markets and Garden

• What is Local Food?— Resource from The Labels Unwrapped Project (Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School, 2022)
• Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)— Program overview (USDA)
  • SFMNP Fact Sheet
• SNAP Benefits and Farmers' Markets— Resources on using SNAP
  and SNAP-Ed at farmers markets (USDA)
• Partnerships With Food Banks and Other United States Department of Agriculture
  Programs — Frequently asked questions on how Older Americans Act programs can partner with SNAP, TEFAP, food banks, and more (Nutrition and Aging Resource Center)
• Farmers Market Tips and Tricks — Resource on the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, outlining who it serves and how it helps older adults access fresh, local produce (Nutrition and Aging Resource Center, 2022)

Community and Personal Gardens

• Collard Greens and Common Ground: a Community Food Gardening Handbook— Award-winning garden guide (NC State Extension)
• Healthier You With Community Gardens — Benefits of community gardens (Nutrition and Aging Resource Center, 2024)
• Plant Production and Gardening— Resources, guides, infographics, and tips about community gardens (USDA)
• Container Gardening— Basic info on container gardening (USDA)
• Energize Your Life: Gardening for a Healthier You— SNAP-Ed program with gardening basics to increase consumption of fresh produce (Washington State University Extension, 2017)
• Gardening— Info from SNAP-Ed about gardening and SNAP benefits (USDA)
• Eating Well: Farmers' Market Recipes— Recipe book (Ohio Department of Aging)