How seniors may be able to get vouchers for produce at farmers' markets

Display of fresh produce at Charlotte Regional Farmers Market — Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. Photo by Mace Publishing, LLC

If you’re 60 or older, and meet income limits, you may be able to get a voucher for $50 to use at a farmers’ market this summer.

The NC Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a summer-only program that provides vouchers in participating counties to eligible lower-income older adults to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh cut herbs at NC SFMNP-certified farmers’ markets.

Here’s information about the program, specifically for Mecklenburg County.

This summertime program is designed to improve the nutrition of older adults and increase business for local farmers and farmers’ markets.

The program runs from July to September 30, 2025. The vouchers must be used during this time period.

To be eligible to participate, you must meet three requirements:

Be 60 years of age or older
Live in a county with a participating local agency
Have a household income of no more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level ($2,413 or less per month for a one-person household; $3,261 or less per month for a two-person household)

You might be interested in this list of 30+ farmers’ markets in the Charlotte area.

Where to get the vouchers

Sign up to receive a voucher at one of these farmers markets or events. Please note that you can use the vouchers at any participating farmers market, not just the ones on this list. Also, this list is just for Mecklenburg County, but other counties are participating as well.

Davidson Town Hall: HOMES program event
251 South St., Davidson, NC 28036
Monday, July 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Davidson Farmers Market
20 South Main St., Davidson, NC 28036
Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. to noon

North Meck Community Farmers Market
21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius, NC 28031
Wednesdays throughout July, 9 a.m. to noon

Matthews Community Farmers Market
188 N. Trade St., Matthews, NC 28105
Saturday, July 5, 8 a.m. to noon

Uptown Farmers Market
300 S. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Saturday, July 5 and Saturday, July 19, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Where to use the vouchers

You can use the voucher at any participating farmers’ market. This is a list of 19 participating farmers’ markets in Mecklenburg County. Other counties participate as well.

More about the NC Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

NOTE: SFMNP vouchers are not guaranteed. Even if a person meets the eligibility requirements above, there may not be enough funds for all eligible persons to receive SFMNP vouchers.

This program is funded by the USDA, a federal agency, so cuts to the USDA may affect this program. We don’t have information about if and how it may be affected.

Another program at farmers’ markets

Another program that provides farmers’ market vouchers is the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, part of WIC. And SNAP is accepted (and doubled) at many farmers’ markets.

Double-Check Before You Head Out!

We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.

However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.

Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area

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