Senior Farmers Market
Tuesday, March 22, 2011Seniors Can Apply for Senior Farmers’ Market Coupons in April
Seniors who meet the eligibility guidelines, will soon be receiving some welcome relief from rising food budgets. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income-eligible senior citizens with special coupons worth $50 to buy produce.
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA program in which grants are awarded to provide coupons to low-income seniors.
In 2011, eligibility will be based on combined, total HOUSEHOLD income, NOT individual income.
Individuals are eligible for the Senior Farmers’ Market if they are 60 + and have an annual income of $20,147 or less as a single person ($27,214 or less for a household of two).
Program coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers. Only fresh, locally grown fruits, herbs, vegetables and honey are eligible to be purchased with the coupons.
Each eligible senior receives $50 worth of coupons. Grant funding is limited and coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each person will receive a total of ten $5 coupons: five $5 coupons valid from May 1- July 31 and five $5 coupons valid from Aug. 1- Oct. 31. Coupons may only be redeemed by authorized participating farmers who sell produce at farmers’ markets or roadside stands. The program will end Oct. 31, 2011.
AAA8 will accept applications ONLY BY MAIL. Applications will be available across the region, at the AAA8 office and online at www.areaagency8.org on April 1.
Applications must be returned by U.S. mail to AAA8 P.O. Box 370 Reno, OH 45773 postmarked no earlier than the following dates:
April 6 – Athens and Hocking Counties {applications available at Senior Centers}
April 13 – Washington County {applications available only at AAA8 }
April 20 – Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Noble & Perry Counties {applications available at Senior Centers}
Applications will be checked for the appropriate postmark, date-stamped and processed for distribution on a first-come, first-served basis, by county. Coupons will be mailed to eligible applicants by May 1. Ineligible applicants will receive a letter indicating the reason of ineligibility. Once each county’s allocations have been filled, individuals will be placed on a waiting list and receive notification by mail.
Local farmers are also needed to participate in the Market program. Farmer contracts are due back to AAA8 by March 31. For more details on what products are included in the program or to become an authorized SFMNP farmer, contact the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) at 1-800-331-2644.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Visit www.areaagency8.org at the Services & Programs Section - Farmers Market for the application - AVAILABLE ON APRIL 1.