How do I become a certified market, farmer or farmstand?
Farmers in Massachusetts, or in bordering states, can apply to accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons at authorized farmers markets or farmstands in Massachusetts.
- New farmers must complete a mandatory training. Please complete this application.
- If you identify yourself as a new farmer, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete the training (it is conducted online or over the phone).
- Purchases with farmers' market coupons are limited to the following:
- Items produced by a farmer on his/her farm.
- Cooperative or consignment sales, only if permitted by the market rules.
- Only locally grown produce sold by authorized farmers is eligible under the program.
Farmers Markets must meet the following criteria:
- Farmers accept coupons directly at farmers market. Market managers do not apply to accept coupons on farmers' behalf. The market must be a certified location for the farmer to accept coupons at the market.
- Only farmers’ markets approved and certified by MDAR are eligible to participate in the program.
- Farmers’ markets must have a set of operating guidelines which address vendor eligibility and produce source. At a minimum, the rules must meet the minimum criteria listed in MDAR’s policy on farmers’ markets found at
- Market managers agree to notify uncertified growers at their market of their eligibility to participate in the program and refer them to MDAR in order to become certified.
- Farmers’ markets should have, at a minimum, two (2) certified vendors in order to participate in the Program. Existing farmers’ markets that fall below two (2) vendors must make a good faith effort to recruit additional vendors in order to continue to be authorized as a certified farmers’ market.
- Market managers must sign an agreement in order to participate in the Program.
Farmstands must meet the following criteria:
- Farmstands must be in a permanent location, or an on-farm structure, specifically designated for the sale of owner-grown agricultural products.
- The farmstand must sell a variety of FMNP eligible fruits, vegetables, and edible cut herbs.
- The farmstand should be reasonably accessible to the public, and should be open during regularly scheduled hours/days of the week. Seasonal openings and closings should be posted in a visible area for the public to see.
- The farmstand must have an FMNP trained seller present during farmstand hours. Self-service farmstands are ineligible from participating in the Program.
- Farmer must agree to operate within the requirements of the FMNP agreement.
- An individual who exclusively sells produce grown by someone else, such as a wholesale distributor, cannot be authorized to participate in the FMNP.
- Farmstands must sign an agreement in order to participate in the Program.
Additional Resources
Information for Certified Farmers and Market Managers
New farmers and market managers must certify before participating in the program. For returning farmers and market managers, the renewal cycle is outlined below.
Farmer/Farmstand re-certification occurs on a three-year cycle:
- March of 2024 and 2025: All certified farmers will be asked to update contact information and submit crop form if applicable
- *Renewal Year* March 2026: All certified farmers will be emailed or mailed a certification form
- May 15th 2026: Deadline to renew certification
- March 2029: All certified farmers will be emailed or mailed a certification form
Market re-certification occurs on a three-year cycle:
- *Renewal Year* March 2025: All certified market managers will be emailed or mailed a certification form
- May 15th 2025: Deadline to renew certification
- If at any time your certified market has a new manager, they are required to complete a training.
Additional Resources
Open PDF file, 916.24 KB,
2024 Guidelines for Farmers and Market Managers
(English, PDF 916.24 KB)