Nutrition Programs

Learn more about the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition program (SFMNP) or the Eating Together program below.

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

The purpose of the SFMNP is to:

1. Provide fresh, nutritious, locally grown fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets to low-income seniors.
2. Increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers’ markets.
3. Develop or aid in the development of new farmers’ markets.

Apply for Checks June 24 through 28

From Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28 at 4 p.m. senior households can apply to receive one electronic card valued at $50 to use at participating farmers' markets in Maryland. A lottery process will be used to distribute the cards. To be eligible for the lottery, residents must live in Baltimore County, be over age 60 and have an annual income below $27,861 for an individual or $37,814 for a two-person household. Only one electronic card will be distributed per household. Farmers’ market electronic cards are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered in Maryland by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Aging.

View farmers' markets locations.

Eating Together Program

The Eating Together congregate meal program provides nutritious meals and companionship to Baltimore County seniors aged 60 and over and their spouses of any age. 

View the locations and days where the program is offered. For more information, call the Nutrition Office at 410-887-3052. In addition to the Eating Together meal program, senior centers offer special meals as part of social events. These meals are usually catered and have a fee.

About the Meals

Each meal contains:

• Three ounces of protein
• Two servings of starch or grains
• Three servings of vegetables and fruits
• One serving of low fat milk (except at Kosher locations)

The menus, planned as the main meal of the day, are made up of a variety of foods to provide at least one-third of the recommended daily nutritional needs. Seasonal favorites are included and special menus are offered for holidays. Kosher and Islamic Halal meals are available at selected sites.

Nutritional Information

Menus are designed to meet the nutritional recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and are reviewed by a registered dietitian to ensure nutritional requirements are met. Fat and sodium are limited, and no salt is added to the food. Detailed nutrition information is available to assist those on special diets and meals are acceptable for most persons with diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

Free nutrition education is provided throughout the year at various sites where Eating Together meals are served. Nutrition education provides a basis for making informed choices and setting realistic nutritional goals.

Costs

Participants are asked to make a voluntary, anonymous contribution. The minimum requested contribution is $4 for the regular meal program and $5 for the Kosher and Halal meal programs. All contributions are used to enable the program to serve as many meals as possible. 

Meal costs are outlined below. Participants under 60 years of age are required to pay the full cost of the meal.