A new website can help consumers locate Farmers Markets in their region of Missouri according to a release from the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Consumers are expressing a renewed interest in buying food directly from the farmer or grower in their local areas. One reason for this consumer change is the new awareness of the importance of fresh vegetables and fruit in the diet, which are creating opportunities for marketing local produce to consumers through farmers’ markets. Also, the economic opportunities and rewards of the markets in a community’s development are being realized from community leaders.

Structuring and Organizing your Market
To develop and maintain a viable farmers’ market, an organized and well thought out process needs to be implemented. The Missouri Grown Farmers’ Market Handbook was created to guide you through this process and link you to all of the state, federal and local resources and regulations you will need.

The Missouri Grown Website offers a comprehensive listing of farmers’ markets in Missouri, contact names and market information. If your community would like assistance in organizing a farmers’ market or know of a farmers’ market that is not listed in Missouri Grown, please contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Missouri Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (MoSFMNP) provides benefit vouchers to low-income seniors (60 years of age or older). Eligible seniors receive 10 vouchers ($5 each), totaling $50 annually, to be used for fresh fruit, vegetables, honey and herbs. In 2021, the program operates in 46 counties, including locally Howell, Ozark and Taney.

Vouchers can only be exchanged for eligible foods, grown in Missouri, at a farmers’ market with an authorized farmer.

Market List:
Mid-Missouri area
Southern Missouri area

Details:
Benefit vouchers issued to eligible participants: June 1 to Sept. 30.
Participants can redeem vouchers: June 1 to October 31.
To take part in the Missouri Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, seniors must provide age verification, income verification and residency verification. The MoSFMNP Customer Flyer will provide you with further information on eligibility and locations to apply.

Seniors
For more information, call:
Springfield area – (417) 862-0762
Mid-Missouri area – (573) 443-5823

Missouri Farmers
For more information, contact Lexi Jose at (573) 751-8596 or alexis.jose@mda.mo.gov.

Farmers’ Market Promotion Matching Grant Program
The Farmers’ Market Matching Grant Program is a reimbursement grant program funded through the Missouri Department of Agriculture. This grant awards up to $1,000 for reimbursement of expenses associated with promoting Missouri’s farmers’ markets. Details….