Senior farmers market vouchers available

The vouchers are redeemable only at participating farmers market/vendor sites.

By the MVI

The Pennsylvania Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income eligible seniors with the opportunity to purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from approved farmers in Pennsylvania.

The program provides five $5 vouchers totaling $25 to eligible seniors one time during the program year. The vouchers may be redeemed at designated area farmers markets through Nov. 30.

To be eligible for the SFMNP vouchers, an individual must be 60 years of age or older by Dec. 31 and must be a resident of Fayette, Greene, or Washington counties. An eligible individual’s gross income includes interest, Social Security, wages, Black Lung, Unemployment Compensation etc., and must be at or below $29,526. For two persons in a household, the income may be $40,034.

The SFMNP vouchers will be distributed in-person only at senior community centers and satellite centers and other locations. A distribution schedule listing distribution locations, dates and hours is available at www.swpa-aaa. org.

An eligible senior may authorize an individual to act as a proxy to pick up and use the SFMNP vouchers, as long as the benefits ultimately reach the eligible participant. However, proxy statements must be completed prior to picking up the vouchers. Proxy statements are available at local senior community centers, Area Agency on Aging offices and online at www.swpaaaa. org.

Seniors living in nursing or residential facilities, where meals are provided, are not eligible for the program.

The vouchers are redeemable only at participating farmers market/vendor sites. Look for the PA Preferred logo when visiting a local farmers market to purchase fruits and vegetables grown in Pennsylvania.

To find a farmers market or farm stand with eligible farmers, download the FMNP app, available at no cost in the Google Play store and the Apple Store. Search for PA FMNP farmers market locator and download the app.

A list of participating farmers markets can be found at www.PAFMNP.org.

The program is a cooperative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, senior community centers and other distribution sites to support the nutrition of older adults, as well as to support the economic needs of Pennsylvania farmers by stimulating sales at local farmers markets.

For more information, contact the local senior community center in Fayette, Greene, or Washington counties, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-888-300-2704 or one of the AAA offices:

• Fayette County, Uniontown, 724-430-4603

• Greene County, Waynesburg, 724-852-1510

• Washington County, Washington, 724-228-7080; Administrative Office, Charleroi, 724-489-8080 Applications submitted on the Allegheny County Department of Aging website by those living in Fayette, Greene or Washington County will not be processed.