City News

Through our weekly farmers markets, the City of Tuscaloosa works hard to make fresh, locally-grown produce available to as many of our citizens as possible. One of the ways we achieve this is by accepting SNAP/EBT and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) payments at all of our markets! 

The SFMNP is a federally funded program that provides fresh, locally-grown produce to low-income seniors. Eligible seniors are given $30 in vouchers to purchase fresh food from Certified Farmers Markets. Vendors that accept these vouchers have a white sign with green writing on it indicating that they participate in the program. Items eligible for this program include fresh fruits, vegetables, honey and cut herbs.  

This program is available for those 60 years or older with an income less than $1,756 monthly for a household of one and $2,371 for a household of two. Applications are available online at http://fma.alabama.gov. Please note that you must reapply each year. Vouchers will be sent out by mail at the address provided on the application if approved. 

Along with SNAP/EBT, SFMNP program payments are accepted at the weekly Farmers Market each Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at the River Market, as well as at our Pop-Up Markets every weekday. 

The Pop-Up Markets operate from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday from April until the end of September. The schedule, which remains the same throughout the season, is:  

• Mondays: McDonald Hughes Community Center, 3101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.  

• Tuesdays: Harmon Park, 2901 Greensboro Ave.  

• Wednesdays: Annette N. Shelby Park, 1614 15th St.  

• Thursdays: McAbee Activity Center, 3901 Loop Road 

• Fridays: The Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center, 2614 University Blvd. E.  

For more information on our Farmers Markets, visit tuscaloosafarmersmarket.com.