Written by Monique Kellner
Cottonwood Extension District
The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is scheduled to launch on June 3rd.
Are you over 60 and meet the income guidelines?
Are you 55 years old and a member of an Indian tribal organization?
If you do, you may be eligible to receive free fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey from your local farmers market.
Eligibility is determined by household size, but benefits are distributed individually. This means anyone in your household who meets the age and income requirements can apply and receive benefits on their own.
Eligibility criteria
1. Age: Seniors must be 60 years of age or older, or 55 years of age or older and a member of an Indian tribal organization on the date the coupon is issued.
2. Income:
Number of household members, monthly income, weekly income
1 2,322 dollars. $536
2 $3,152, $728
3 $3,981, $919
+$830, +192 for each additional member
Prizes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you qualify, you will receive a booklet consisting of 10 $5 coupons for a one-time annual reward of $50 for purchasing eligible food from certified farmers.
The goals of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program are:
· Increase fruit and vegetable intake for optimal health
· Increase direct marketing of Kansas Foods
Providing low-income seniors with resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, uncooked locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey from farmers markets
· Increase domestic consumption of agricultural products by expanding or supporting the expansion of domestic farmers’ markets;
· Developing or assisting in the development of new and additional farmers markets
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. The program is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which is working with local partners to identify eligible seniors and distribute the checks.
To apply in Ellis County, come to the Cottonwood Extension office at 601 Main St. and fill out an application. Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. To apply in Barton County, contact the Barton County Health Department at 620-793-1902, 1300 Kansas Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you are unable to come to the office to fill out the paperwork, you can appoint a representative to help you apply and pick up your produce. If you have any other questions, please let us know using the contact details below.
Monique Koerner is a family and community health coordinator at K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.Contact us at 785-628-9430 or [email protected]
