Please read below for the most commonly asked questions about the Senior Farmers Market program in Fairfax and Loudoun County.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOW DO I APPLY IF I LIVE IN A GROUP OR MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLD?
WHEN WILL I HEAR ABOUT MY APPLICATION STATUS?
I WAS APPROVED. WHEN DO I GET MY VOUCHERS?
WHERE CAN I SPEND MY VOUCHERS AND WHAT CAN I BUY?
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY VOUCHERS?
CAN I GET CHANGE FOR MY VOUCHERS?
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT FARMER(S) I CAN SHOP WITH?
WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE THAT I’M NOT ELIGIBLE?
WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE THAT I’M NOT IN THE PROGRAM?
HOW DO I APPLY?
If you want to participate, you must submit one (1) application per household based on which County you live in. Loudoun and Fairfax County residents can visit the Apply webpage to find and complete the Senior Farmers Market program application.
Please keep in mind that submitting an application doesn’t automatically guarantee you will be enrolled. This is the first step of the enrollment process. Voucher booklets are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to approved participants.
HOW DO I APPLY IF I LIVE IN A GROUP OR MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLD?
If you live in a group or multigenerational household, please complete one (1) application for each person (up to a maximum of two people per application) with whom you share monthly income. Multiple applications per household can be submitted as long as you don’t submit duplicate applications for a person.
WHEN WILL I HEAR ABOUT MY APPLICATION STATUS?
Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2024. Applications will close on that date so submit your application as early as possible. The review process happens continuously from now through the end of September.
Starting in June, applicants can generally expect to receive a status update in 2-3 weeks after their application is submitted. Please note that this is an estimated timeframe and your actual notification may take less or more time. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
I WAS APPROVED. WHEN DO I GET MY VOUCHERS?
Your vouchers will be mailed to you within 10-15 days of your being notified of your enrollment via text, phone call, and/or email. If you only requested communication by mail, you will receive your approval letter and voucher booklet(s) in one mailing.
HOW MANY VOUCHERS DO I GET?
Each approved participant gets their own voucher booklet that has ten (10) $5 vouchers.
WHERE CAN I SPEND MY VOUCHERS AND WHAT CAN I BUY?
Check out the Locations or the 2024 Market Guide to see the list of participating farmers at farmers markets where you can spend your vouchers on fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and fresh-cut herbs.
Remember, you have to apply to the program based on what county you live in, but you can spend your vouchers at any Virginia farmers market regardless of where you live or where the market is located.
DO MY VOUCHERS EXPIRE?
Vouchers are valid and can be spent on eligible purchases from June 1 through November.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY VOUCHERS?
Due to the USDA’s federal program regulations, program operators like FRESHFARM are not allowed to replace lost voucher booklets. Please do your best to keep and spend your vouchers throughout the season. If lost, that will be the only voucher booklet that we are allowed to send to any individual participant for the current season.
CAN I GET CHANGE FOR MY VOUCHERS?
Per state and federal guidelines, change cannot be given if the entire $5 is not used.
CAN SOMEONE ELSE SHOP FOR ME?
Yes! You should have listed in your application the name of the person that would do your shopping for you. If you didn’t do that, you can email va-senior@freshfarm.org or text 1-833-412-4863 to name the person who will do your shopping for you.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT FARMER(S) I CAN SHOP WITH?
Look for farmers displaying the Farm Market Fresh authorized farmer poster:
WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE THAT I’M NOT ELIGIBLE?
Only people who are 60 years of age or older AND whose monthly income is at or less than $2,322 (for one person in a household) or $3,152 (for two people sharing a household) are eligible to participate in the program. This does not include income of your adult children.
You must also submit an application with the agency in the county in which you currently reside. If you mistakenly applied in the wrong county, you will receive an ineligibility notice and instructions to apply with the appropriate agency.
WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE THAT I’M NOT IN THE PROGRAM?
Unfortunately, each county receives a limited number of vouchers which are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. This means the program may hit its maximum participant limit even though there are more folks who could use and would qualify for the program.
We understand this can be stressful for community members. Please contact va-senior@freshfarm.org if you want to receive information about other food access programs that may be helpful to you.
Have questions? Contact the Senior Farmers Market program team for support by emailing va-senior@freshfarm.org, texting 1-833-412-4863, or calling 855-827-3667.