Starting in June, eligible senior citizens can receive and redeem coupons for locally grown, fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at approved farmers markets, roadside stands and other community-supported agricultural programs.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a federally funded program administered through the state Department of Agriculture. Qualifying seniors age 60 and older may receive no less than $20 and no more than $50 per year as an incentive to buy healthy food from local farmers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
USDA established the program in 2001 to improve the diets of low-income seniors. The 2014 Farm Bill maintains the current funding of $20.6 million a year through 2018.
Less than one-third of senior citizens in the United States eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, which are essential to preventing health problems, according to sustainableagriculture.net.
Seniors are eligible to receive coupons if gross household income (before taxes) is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line. This year, that equates to $22,459 for a one-person household; $30,451 for a two-person household.
In Pennsylvania, recipients receive four $5 Senior Farmers Market checks and a list of participating farmers and farmers markets. Eligible recipients can also visit www.pafmnp.pa.gov to find a market that accepts vouchers.
Checks are distributed first-come, first-served on designated distribution days for each county. Photo identification for proof of age and residency is required. If you can’t get to a distribution site, a proxy can be designated to pick up and redeem checks. Proxy forms are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website at agriculture.state.pa.us.
Here is the Senior Farmers Market distribution schedule for Beaver County:
June 2: 10 a.m. to noon, Beaver County Office on Aging, Human Services Building, first-floor conference room, 1020 Eighth Ave., Beaver Falls.
June 4: 1 to 3 p.m., Baden American Legion, 271 State St.
June 6: 1 to 3 p.m., Rochester Salvation Army, 378 Jefferson St.
June 12: 1 to 3 p.m., St. Titus Catholic Church, Titan Hall, 952 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa.
June 18: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Midland Health and Wellness Center, 901 Midland Ave.
June 18: 1 to 3 p.m., Hanover Township fire hall, 2697 Route 18.
June 19: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Bridgewater Presbyterian Church, 408 Bridge St.
June 19: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Chippewa Township Farmers Market, intersection of Shenango and Darlington roads, Chippewa United Methodist Church parking lot.
June 23: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Beaver Farmers Market, courthouse parking lot, Market and Fourth streets.
June 25: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Beaver Falls Farmers Market, Brodhead Apartments parking lot, 712 12th St., Beaver Falls.
June 26: 1 to 3 p.m., Trinity School for Ministry, 311 11th St. (back entrance), Ambridge.
June 27: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Aliquippa Farmers Market, United Methodist Church parking lot, Brodhead and Chapel roads.
July 10: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., New Brighton Farmers Market, parking lot at Fifth Avenue and 12th Street.
July 12: 4 to 7 p.m., Ambridge Farmers Market, Eighth Street and Park Road.
For more information, call the Beaver County Office on Aging at 724-847-2262.
In Lawrence County, vouchers will be distributed at Challenges: Options in Aging centers in Ellwood City and New Castle. Distribution at the Ellwood City site at 1405 Woodside Ave. is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18. Vouchers will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18 and 19 and 9 a.m. to noon June 20 at the New Castle center at 2706 Mercer Road. For more information, contact Challenges: Options in Aging/Lawrence County Area Agency on Aging at 724-658-3729.
In Allegheny County, the Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging will begin distributing vouchers June 12 at senior centers. Sites have yet to be disclosed. For information, call 412-350-5460.