DACF Home → Bureaus & Programs → Bureau of Agriculture → Agricultural Resource Development Division → Maine Senior FarmShare Program
Maine Senior FarmShare Program
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) receives a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund the Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFP). This program provides eligible low-income seniors the opportunity to receive a share (worth $50) of first-quality, fresh, local produce at no cost directly from local Maine farmers during the growing season.
Information For Seniors
Information For Farmers
Interested in becoming an authorized farm?
Information for Seniors
Participating seniors receive a share (worth $50) of first-quality, fresh, local produce at no cost from a Maine Senior FarmShare Program authorized farm during the growing season.
How and When to Sign Up
The Maine Senior FarmShare Program 2020 season has ended. A full list of authorized farms will be posted April 1, 2021.
Important Notes
- Choose a farm and sign up
- Sign-up begins each year in April. The number of available senior shares is limited and on a first come first serve basis.
- Once the farm you chose has produce available you can begin shopping!
- Things to consider when choosing a farm:
- Does the farm grow fruits and vegetables that you like?
- Is the farmer close to you and easy for you to
get to? - Does the farmer deliver, or do you pick up?
- Can you shop and your produce or does the farmer prepackage produce for you?
- REMINDER: If you participated in the program during a prior year, you are NOT automatically signed up the next year. You must contact the farm and sign up every year.
- You may only sign up with one farm per year.
- You are not officially signed up until you complete and sign a Senior FarmShare Agreement Form with an authorized farm.
- It is the senior's responsibility to contact an authorized farm to sign up for participation in the program.
The total number of seniors who qualify for Maine Senior FarmShare Program each year significantly outnumbers the number of FarmShares available in the program. Seniors will be put on a waiting list if the farm they have chosen has filled all their Senior FarmShares.
2021 Eligibility Requirements
Please understand that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee you a Senior FarmShare.
To participate in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program you must:
- Be a Maine resident
- Be 60 years old or older (55 years old or older for Native Americans)
- Meet the 2021 Income Guidelines:
- Maximum of $23,606/per year for a one-person household; or
- Maximum of $31,894/per year for a two-person household
Eligibility guidelines are updated annually, if you need assistance determining your eligibility you can:
- Call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771; TTY users call Maine Relay 711.
- Call the Maine Senior FarmShare Program at (207) 446-5550.
- Email SeniorFarmShare.AGR@maine.gov
Read the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement (PDF)
Recipes and Resources
All seniors that qualify for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program may also be eligible to participate in additional programs! Click on the links for more information about each program.
Farm Fresh Rewards - Double your SNAP dollars! Farm Fresh Rewards provides bonus local fruits and vegetables to anyone buying local products with SNAP/EBT at participating stores. Visit farmfreshrewards.org for more information and to find a store near you or contact Abby at Maine Farmland Trust by email at abby@mainefarmlandtrust.org or call (207) 338-6575.
Maine Harvest Bucks - Double your SNAP/EBT/Food Stamps at farmers’ markets, farm stands and CSA’s with Maine Harvest Bucks. Maine Harvest Bucks are known as “nutrition incentives,” which increase the value of federal nutrition assistance dollars (SNAP/EBT) spent at participating markets. For every dollar you spend with your SNAP/EBT card at a market, you’ll receive an extra “buck” in Maine Harvest Bucks to be spent on fruits and vegetables. Maine Harvest Bucks can be spent that day or saved for later in the month or year when you want to spend them! For more information email SNAP@mffm.org or call (207) 370-1524.
Maine SNAP-Ed - Helps you shop, cook and eat healthy on a budget. Making the most of your food budget is a challenge – but with some simple tips, they can help you feed your family healthy foods and save money! For more information, e-mail Maine SNAP-Ed at mainesnap-ed@une.edu or call 207-221-4560
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service
- UMaine Cooperative Extension: Food & Health
You may also qualify for other benefits. For more information:
- Contact the Area Agency on Aging by calling 1-877-353-3771; TTY user call Maine Relay 711
- Do a self-assessment test online.
Recipes
The benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables are plentiful! For specific information on the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables and for recipes click on the links below.
From the Farmers
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
Information for Farmers
How to Become an Authorized Farm for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program
- Are you a Maine Farmer?
- Do you grow one or more acres of mixed produce?
- Can your farm offer a minimum of 5 different produce items over an 8-week period?
If you are interested in participating in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program, and you answered yes to these three questions, you may be eligible!
The Maine Senior FarmShare Program is accepting applications for new farms in all counties, please fill out a New Farm Request Form before April 30th to be an authorized farm for the current year. (To become an authorized farm for the MSFP, farms must meet all eligibility requirements in the MSFP Farmer Policies and Guidelines.)
Book an Appointment
Use our online application called ‘Bookings’ where farmers may schedule a meeting, sign up for available trainings and request assistance from the Program Manager of the Maine Senior FarmShare Program.
Book AppointmentImportant Dates: Annual Schedule and Deadlines for Authorized Farms
| Month | What's Happening & What's Due |
|---|---|
| January - March |
|
| April |
|
| May - October |
|
| July 31 |
|
| August |
|
| September 30 |
|
| October - November |
|
| December |
|
Farmer Resources: Important Reminders, Program Information and FAQ’s for Authorized Farms
Did you see our new logo? Update from get Real. get Maine to Real Maine today! Check out the Real Maine online store for banners, stickers and more promotional Real Maine items!
Only foods that are listed on the MSFP Eligible Foods List can be purchased with Senior FarmShare benefit funds by participating seniors.
Maine Online Senior Share Access (MOSSA)
- MOSSA - Access your account
- MOSSA Farmer User Manual (PDF)
- MOSSA – End of Season Instructions for Farmers (PDF)
Forms for Authorized Farms
- Eligible Foods List (PDF)
- Farmer Agreement Form (PDF)
- Farmer Checklist (PDF)
- Farmer as Proxy (PDF)
- Farmer as Proxy for Multiple Seniors (PDF)
- Proxy Form - Individual (PDF)
- Proxy Form - Multiple Seniors (PDF)
- Individual Senior Share Tracking Form (PDF)
- Senior Agreement Form (PDF)
- Senior Participant Rights and Responsibilities Form (PDF)
- Senior Participant Waiting List (PDF)
- USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF)
Farmer Training
We can provide assistance and training on:
- Completing your end of season reporting
- Completing your farmer application
- Signing up participants
Trainings listed below are for previously authorized farms.
2021 Annual Training
Farmers who participated in previous that will be applying again for the upcoming season are required to complete the MSFP annual farmer training. Please read the updated Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFP) Farmer Policies and Guidelines, including Appendix A, Civil Rights Training. Once you have read through both please click on the link below to take the short quiz. After you complete the quiz you will receive your confirmation code to complete your farm sign up in MOSSA.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
