Resources for Farmers and Market Managers

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 also participate at a farmers’ market that is FMNP-certified.
• 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.

Farmer re-certification occurs on a three-year cycle:

• March 2023: All certified farmers will be emailed or mailed a certification form
• May 15th 2023: Deadline to renew certification
• March of 2024 and 2025: All certified farmers will be asked to update contact information and submit crop form if applicable
• March 2026: All certified farmers will be emailed or mailed a certification form

Market re-certification occurs on an annual basis:

• March 2023: All certified market managers will be emailed or mailed a certification form
• May 15th 2023: Deadline to renew certification
• New market managers must complete mandatory training

Farmstand re-certification occurs on an annual basis:

• March 2023: All certified farmstand operators will be emailed or mailed a certification form
• May 15th 2023: Deadline to renew certification
• New farmstand operators must complete mandatory training