Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH (SPF), which is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill, is a program aimed at older adults, helping them incorporate more fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet. Senior Project Fresh was created to benefit the restricted income senior and a secondary benefit to the Michigan farmer.

While SPF is in all 83 counties in the State of Michigan, Michigan State University Extension is currently the lead agency, providing nutrition education and coupon distribution in 17 counties, and we provide nutrition education with other distributing agencies, this varies from year to year.

Things you should know:

• Coupon distribution is on a first come - first serve basis.
• While the coupons are received in your home county, it can be spent at any authorized market that accepts SPF coupons throughout the State of Michigan.
• There are purchasing limitations.
• Distribution is administered by a wide variety of agencies in the State of Michigan. See Find Lead Agency*
• The program runs from May 1 to October 31 of any given year. Coupons expire on October 31 of a given year.
• If you are receiving coupons from a MSU Extension staff person, you may need to attend a nutrition class, with more resources. This can be attended by zoom video, zoom audio or over the telephone.

Who is eligible:

All three (3) conditions must be met: age, residency, and income

• By age - Adults 60 years and older, or 55 and older and a member of a Michigan federally recognized tribe or urban tribal group.
• By residency - you must live in the county where the coupons are being distributed.
• By income - your income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline:

Visit the 2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines, then see the chart for 185% of poverty to see if you are eligible: https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

Click here for more information about Senior Project Fresh.