Jul 8, 2016 2 min read

The Pennsylvania Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides four $5 vouchers totaling $20 to eligible persons one time during the program year. The vouchers may be redeemed at designated area farmers’ markets through Nov. 30.

The program is a cooperative effort including the state Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania WIC Program, Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging and senior centers and distribution sites to support the nutrition of consumers, as well as the economic needs of Pennsylvania farmers by stimulating sales at local farmer’s markets.

To be eligible for the senior FMNP vouchers, an individual must be 60 years of age or older by Dec. 31 of the program year and be a resident of Fayette, Greene or Washington counties. An eligible individual’s gross income, which includes interest, Social Security, wages and other incojme must be at or below $21,978. For two persons in a household, the income may be $29,637; a three-person household income may be $37,296.

An eligible senior may authorize a proxy to pick up and use the FMNP 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 centers, Area Agency on Aging offices and online at www.swpa-aaa.org. Seniors living in nursing or residential facilities, where meals are provided, are not eligible for the program.

Vouchers are redeemable only at participating farmers’ market/vendor sites. A list of participating farmers should be available when vouchers are distributed. For more information, contact your senior center in Fayette, Greene or Washington counties or Area Agency on Aging at 724-489-8080.

The following are upcoming Farmers Market Nutrition Program voucher distributions:

• Burgettstown Senior Center, 200 Senior Way – July 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.

• Canonsburg Senior Center, 30 E. Pike St. – July 18, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Cross Creek Senior Center, 28 Clark Ave., Avella – July 22, 12 to 3 p.m.

• McDonald/Cecil Senior Center, 3599 Miller’s Run Road, Cecil – July 12, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• McGuffey Senior Center, 105 Green St., Claysville – July 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Peters Township Recreation Center, 700 Meredith Drive, Venetia – July 15, 10 a.m. to noon.

• Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, 150 W. Beau St., Suite 216, Washington – July 21, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

• Vouchers will be distributed at Greene County food pantries during July as availability allows.