Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program information
The 2026 SFMNP season is right around the corner, and we are getting ready to distribute cards to eligible seniors! Our number of cards has decreased considerably from past years, and we are anticipating these to go quickly. Our area redemption rate for the cards continues to be below the state average (over 220 issued cards went unused in 2025), so we will be making a few changes to card distribution this season:
- Paper applications for the program will be distributed to each partner senior center: Bellingham (central location ONLY), Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, and at Senior Community Meal sites in Everson & Sumas.
- Cards will be available at the following locations on Monday, May 4th:
- Bellingham : 315 Halleck Street
- Ferndale: 1998 Cherry Street
- Blaine: 763 G Street
- Lynden: 401 Grover Street
- Cards will be available at the following locations on Wednesday, May 6th
- Sumas: 125 Front Street
- Everson: 201 Jackson Street
- Each application will be numbered and have a Market card already assigned to it. They will be individually numbered, and we will not accept any copies or duplications of applications.
- Paper applications will be limited to one per person.
- On Monday 5/11, a smaller allotment of cards will be available online for participants to claim via a form on the Whatcom Council on Aging website. Cards allocated to San Juan County will also be available online only, through their own county web portal.
- The Meals on Wheels & More programs will continue to utilize the Bulk Purchase program to make sure all homebound seniors we serve receive several fresh fruit deliveries during the summer!
More information and instructions can be found on: www.whatcomcoa.org Questions can be emailed to: mealsonwheelswhatcomsjc@gmail.com
We are trying to highlight and improve our redemption rate this year. Last season we had roughly 33% of our program funds go unredeemed. This equals out to just over $25,000.00 in unspent credits. Please encourage everyone who is applying to do their best to use the full amount of $80.00 this season!!
Sincerely,
Rob Vandine
Director, Meals on Wheels & More