Older adults who meet income eligibility guidelines will soon be receiving some welcome relief from food costs as Buckeye Hills Regional Council welcomes the return of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program for 2021.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Department of Aging to allow income-eligible seniors the opportunity to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables from participating farmers’ markets.
Each eligible applicant age 60 and older receives $50 worth of coupons. Grant funding is limited, and coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each participant will receive a total of ten $5 coupons. Coupons may only be redeemed by authorized participating farmers who sell produce at farmers’ markets or roadside stands. The program runs through October 31.
Individuals interested in participating in the program can access the mail-in form or apply online. Applications will be checked for the appropriate postmark, date-stamped, and processed for distribution on a first-come, first-served basis, by county. Coupons will be mailed to eligible applicants as soon as possible after the registrations are processed. Once each county’s allocations have been filled, individuals will be placed on a waiting list and receive notification by mail.
Applications will be accepted beginning:
- Tuesday, March 16 from Athens and Hocking county residents
- Tuesday, March 23 from Monroe and Washington county residents
- Tuesday, March 30 from Meigs, Morgan, Noble, and Perry county residents.
Income eligibility requirements include: one person in a household with an income of $0-$23,828; 2 people in a household with an income of $0-$32,227; and 3 people in a household with an income of $0-$40,626; additional eligibility thresholds are available on the application.
In 2020, despite the ongoing pandemic, the program served 1,918 seniors. The food for the program was provided by 40 local farmers who redeemed $76,550 in coupons for fresh, healthy produce.
To learn more about Buckeye Hills Regional Council, and for assistance, and referral services, visit www.buckeyehills.org, call 740-374-9436 or 1-800-331-2644 (toll-free), or email info@buckeyehills.org.