By MONIQUE KOERNER
Cottonwood Extension District
The Kansas Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program is set to kick off on June 3.
Are you at least 60 years old and meet income guidelines?
Are you 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization?
Then you might qualify to receive free fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey from local farmers' markets.
Eligibility is determined by household size, but benefits are distributed individually, meaning that anyone in your household who meets the age and income requirements may apply for and receive their own benefits.
Eligibility criteria
1. Age: A senior must be 60 years old or older, or at least 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization, on the day the coupons are issued.
2. Income:
Household Size, Monthly Income, Weekly Income
1 $2,322. $536
2 $3,152, $728
3 $3,981, $919
Each additional member +$830, +192
Benefits are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you qualify you will receive a booklet of 10, $5 coupons for a one-time annual benefit of $50 to purchase eligible foods from authorized farmers.
Goals of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program include:
· Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables for optimal health
· Increase direct marketing of Kansas foods
· Provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from farmers markets to low income seniors
· Increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers markets
· Develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers markets
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a project of the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The program is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which is collaborating with local partners to identify and distribute checks to eligible seniors.
To apply in Ellis County, come to the Cottonwood Extension office located at 601 Main St. and fill out an application. The office is open 8am-12 noon and 1-5 pm. To apply in Barton County, contact the Barton County Health Department located at 1300 Kansas Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 620-793-1902.
If an individual cannot come into the office to fill out the paperwork they can appoint someone as a proxy to help them apply as well as pick up the produce for them. Please let us know if you have any other questions at the contact information below.
Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or [email protected]