Farmers Market offers fresh vegetables
Warren County senior citizens will have access to a new program this year designed to help supply them with fresh vegetables to include in their diet during the summer months of July and August. Called the Farmers Market Senior Nutrition Program, it will provide $30 per person in vouchers, $15 each month, for low-income seniors that can be redeemed at the Farmers Market for fresh produce of their choice.
“It’s a federally funded program,” said County Executive Kenneth Rogers, “and we’re a trial county. They’re trying it here, and we urge all the people who qualify to participate.”
To qualify for the program, the individual must be age 60 or over, a resident of Warren County, and have a yearly income of less than $12,103 for one person, or $16,237 for two. Applications for vouchers will be available June 14-30 at the McMinnville-Warren County Senior Center.
Rogers feels the program will be a real boon for Warren County seniors.
“Being a pilot community is good,” Rogers said. “I feel like it will help these individuals buy some fresh vegetables. Sometimes seniors may not feel like making a garden or have the space, and this will enable them to buy these vegetables, either to can or have some around for meals.”
The Farmers Market is open Wednesday from 6 a.m. to noon, Friday from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 6 a.m. to noon. The market offers a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and fresh herbs to suit any taste or dietary need.
For more information, or to get an application, contact Cheryl Watson-Mingle at the Senior Center.