In 2023, we introduced a new pilot program through partnership with the DACF’s Maine Senior FarmShare Program that expanded food access options for older adults. 2026 is our fourth year of running the new market-wide version of Maine Senior FarmShare. In the farmers’ market version, individual farmers are relieved of administrative work, and seniors enjoy more choice in how to spend their share. More older Mainers get to enjoy first-quality summer produce, and farmers gain a boost in direct sales at full retail value.
How it Works:
Maine Senior FarmShare participants sign up at a farmers’ market Info Booth and receive $50 in vouchers to spend on fruit, vegetables, cut herbs, or honey at that farmers’ market. Each person can get one share per year, and your vouchers are to spend at the market where you signed up. No change is given for the $1 and $5 vouchers. All farmers have to do is redeem the vouchers with the Info Booth, and they receive full payment through MFFM.
Who can enroll?
To take part in MSFP, you must:
- Be a Maine resident
- Be 60 years old or older (55 years old or older for Native Americans)
- Meet the 2026 Income Guidelines:
- 1 person household: $29,526
- 2 person household: $40,034
- 3 person household: $50,542
- 4 person household: $61,050
- 5 person household: $71,558
- 6 person household: $82,066
Each eligible person in a household that meets these guidelines can get their own $50 share.
More information about eligibility can be found on the DACF website. It’s important to note that assets are not considered, only income, so most retired folks in Maine can participate!
Where to sign up?
Below is a list of all 30 participating farmers’ markets in 2026. All you have to do is visit the market’s Info Booth starting in June, and fill out a short form. You do not need to bring any documentation, you just need to know what your income was on your taxes for the previous year.
Bangor Farmers’ Market
Bar Harbor Eden Farmers’ Market
Bath Farmers’ Market
Belfast Farmers’ Market
Bethel Farmers’ Market
Blue Hill Farmers’ Market
Brewer Farmers’ Market
Bridgton Farmers’ Market
Brunswick Farmers’ Market
Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers’ Market
Camden Farmers’ Market
Cumberland Farmers’ Market
Damariscotta Farmers’ Market
Dover Cove Farmers’ Market
Fairfield Farmers’ Market
Falmouth Farmers’ Market
Farmington Farmers’ Market
Hampden Farmers’ Market
Houlton Community Market
Kennebunk Farmers’ Market
Lewiston Farmers’ Market
Orono Farmers’ Market
Portland Farmers’ Market
Presque Isle Farmers’ Market
Rockland Farmers’ Market
Saco Farmers’ Market
Sanford Farmers’ Market
Skowhegan Farmers’ Market
Steep Falls Farmer’s Market
Waterville Farmers’ Market
How do markets join?
Like all of our voucher programs, there is also an enrollment process for farmers’ markets to begin offering market-wide Maine Senior FarmShare. Since Maine Senior FarmShare funds come from the USDA through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, the process can be especially lengthy. In 2024 we added nine markets, 11 more in 2025, and now have 30 participating markets. We hope to continue to expand the program to more markets as funds and capacity are available.
If you’re a vendor at one of the current Maine Senior FarmShare markets, MFFM shared promotional resources and training materials with your market organizer. As a vendor at a Senior FarmShare market, your responsibilities are to:
- Review and understand the Maine Senior FarmShare vouchers, what they can be spent on, and that you cannot give any change. Understand the difference between Maine Senior FarmShare vouchers and other vouchers used at your market. We have a video and a guide for you with information you need to know about our currencies.
- Turn in your vouchers to the Info Booth at the end of each market, just like you would for Maine Harvest Bucks or Bumper Crop,
- Treat all participating customers with the same respect and patience you would treat any other customer, and understand that program participants may be as new to the program as you are!
We are so excited to be able to share the abundance of farmers’ markets with more older adults and to support farmers in selling their harvests at full retail value to Maine’s senior population.