Farmers market program offers free homegrown produce to elderly
Low-income Kansas seniors in Abilene, Belleville, Hillsboro, and Peabody will have access to homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs at farmers' markets beginning July 1, thanks to a grant from the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
They will join seniors in Emporia, Manhattan, Salina, and 13 other Kansas counties receiving grant funds for the 2006 Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), according to the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA).
"This is a wonderful win-win program for older Kansans and the local farmers who produce fresh fruits and vegetables in these communities," said Julie Govert Walter, executive director of the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, Manhattan.
Walter said that Kansans over age 60 with incomes of $12,740 a year or less may be eligible. Kansas couples age 60 and older with incomes of $17,160 a year or less also are eligible.
Kansas was awarded $178,539 in federal funds to continue providing low-income seniors with pre-printed "cheques" or coupons that eligible seniors can exchange for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. The cheques are available through participating senior centers and local food-aid agencies.
Officials estimate that about 6,000 low-income Kansans over the age of 60 will participate in the program. Each may receive a total of $30 worth of cheques that can be used to buy fresh, Kansas-grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs at farmers' markets and roadside stands participating in the program.
More than 150 farmers participated in the program last year. The eligible farmers and roadside stands are authorized to accept the $2 coupons which can be cashed or deposited at their local bank.
To be eligible, participants must be at least 60 years of age and have a household income below 130 percent of the poverty level if they are a customer of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) or Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). They must be below 100 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines if they receive services through the Older Americans Act (OAA) Congregate Nutrition program. The fresh produce is distributed by local non-profit organizations that implement these programs.
More information about the program is available at the KDOA website at www.agingkansas.org.
The Hillsboro farmers' market is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at Main and Grand. Call 620-382-3580, 620-947-2304, 620-983-2226, or 785-776-9294 for cheques.
Peabody Farmers' Market operates from 6 a.m. to noon Saturdays at South Walnut Street and Santa Fe Park. Cheques are available by calling 620-382-3580, 620-947-2304, 620-983-2226, or 785-776-9294.
