2023 Farmers Market Coupon Programs

 

Translations of the 2023 Farmers Market Coupon Program Booklet into several languages is provided below.

Currently there are three farmers market coupon programs in Massachusetts. The WIC and Senior coupon programs are sponsored by MDAR - Massachusetts Dept. of Agriculture Resources - who also provides the overall framework and rules that govern all Massachusetts farmers market coupon programs, and is responsible for certifying farmers and markets for the programs. The Steward coupon program is sponsored by the Steward Health Care System. Processing and reimbursement for all coupon programs is handled by Mass Farmers Markets.

Please note:

WE HAVE MOVED – 200 Friberg Pkwy, STE 3000B, Westborough, MA 01581

$5 Coupons – This year all coupons will be printed in $5 denominations only.

October 31, 2023 – Last day to accept coupons at farmers markets

November 15, 2023 – Coupons must be received by MFM for reimbursement

To find markets near you, go to Find a Market on our website.

Questions? Contact us at coupons@massfarmersmarkets.org or 781-893-8222 x 1003

Notes on the 2023 Coupons:

All three coupons have distinct colors that change from year to year; the 2023 colors are shown below. To prevent duplication, printed coupons for all three programs also carry security features that show VOID when copied or scanned.

  • Only current year coupons will be accepted for reimbursement. Other items included in submission will be returned uncounted and unreimbursed.

  • Do not accept coupons that are damaged, cancelled, marked “void”, or appear to be reproduced or tampered with. If you suspect abuse, please contact Jennifer Donnelly at MDAR, 857-286-3039 or Jennifer.Donnelly@Mass.gov.

  • This year, there are several other incentive programs that use paper vouchers at various markets; they have separate reimbursement procedures. If you’re not sure how to get reimbursed for those vouchers, ask your market manager.

  • The procedures described in this booklet only apply for the three coupons below. DO NOT INCLUDE OTHER VOUCHERS IN YOUR SUBMISSION.

Click the button below for a helpful guide on how to sort each type of coupon by color.

  1. WIC Coupons (Orange)

May be used only for fresh, unprepared fruits, vegetables and cut herbs. No other food items or products permitted. No-farm vendors ineligible.

Find a WIC office location near you to receive farmers market coupons.

2. Senior Coupons (Brown)

May be used only for fresh, unprepared fruits, vegetables, honey and cut herbs. No other farm products permitted. Non-farm vendors ineligible.

Find out if you are eligible to receive senior farmers market coupons and where to get them.

3. Steward Coupons (Red)

May be used only for fresh fruit, vegetables and cut herbs. Non-farm vendors ineligible.

Contact your doctor at Norwood Hospital about receiving Steward coupons for shopping at your nearest farmers markets.

 

2023 reimbursement info For FARM VENDORS

A few tips to help with the reimbursement process:

  • Time is short. Coupons must be received at the MFM office by close of business on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. If you order forms and we send them by mail, you may not get them in time to return your coupons on time.

  • If you have a printer, it would be better to print the forms yourself.

  • There are three RFPs on a page. Print as many pages as you need. FIll out as many forms per page as you need and leave the rest blank. Please do not cut them apart.

  • There are nine wrappers per page. You do need to cut these apart. Fill out a wrapper, wrap it around your coupons and affix with cellophane tape. Try to keep the tape on the wrapper.

  • If you don't have a printer, you can make your own wrappers from a sheet of regular paper. Just cut it into 1-1.25 inch strips and write all the information on it. You'll still need to wait for the real RFPs in order to submit.

2023 Reimbursement Payment Dates

IMPORTANT: To receive reimbursement, coupons must be received by NOVEMBER 15, 2023. Farmers may submit coupons for reimbursement anytime between now and November 15, 2023. However, we do encourage farmers to submit coupons early and often. This keeps the workload manageable for everyone, and gets you paid sooner! It also helps us get a better picture of how well the programs are performing.

The reimbursement schedule is broken up into two-week cycles ending every other Friday. Reimbursement for coupons received by the last Friday in a cycle will generally occur ten business days later on a Monday. If we (Mass Farmers Markets) have an ACH form on file for you, the direct deposit should appear in your account a couple of days later. Otherwise, you should receive a check about a week after it is issued.

All coupons must be received by November 15, 2023 in order to be processed for reimbursement. Because we anticipate heavy volume between the last regular cycle end date (November 4) and the final due date (November 15), the last reimbursement date is nearly three weeks after the final due date. Please plan accordingly.

Coupons received by, will be reimbursed on:

  • Friday 7/28, Monday 8/7

  • Friday 8/11, Monday 8/21

  • Friday 8/25, Monday 9/4

  • Friday 9/8, Monday 9/18

  • Friday 9/22, Monday 10/2

  • Friday 10/6, Monday 10/16

  • Friday 10/20, Monday 10/30

  • Friday 11/3, Monday 11/13

  • Tuesday 11/15 (final deadline), Monday 12/4 (final payment)

Questions about your reimbursement? Contact Joe McIlwain at 781-893-8222 x 1003 or coupons@massfarmersmarkets.org

Need more reimbursement supplies?

Send us a note below and we’ll put it in the mail for you!

Questions? Contact us at coupons@massfarmersmarkets.org or 781-893-8222 x 1003

Contacts

For reimbursement questions and additional supplies:

Joe McIlwain
Coupon Programs Coordinator
Mass Farmers Markets
781-893-8222 x 1003
coupons@massfarmersmarkets.org

For certification for farmers & markets:

Jennifer Donnelly
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources
857-286-3039
Jennifer.Donnelly@Mass.gov