Seniors

Last Updated on Sunday, 31 July 2016 13:19

The Pennsylvania Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a cooperative effort including the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania WIC Program, the Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging and senior centers and distribution sites to support the nutrition of consumers, as well as to support the economic needs of Pennsylvania farmers by stimulating sales at local farmer’s markets.

The 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 November 30.

Obtaining Vouchers:

To be eligible for the senior FMNP vouchers, an individual must be 60 years of age or older by December 31 of the program year, and for the Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging service area, must be a resident of Fayette, Greene or Washington County. An eligible individual’s gross income, which includes interest, Social Security, wages, Black Lung, etc., must be at or below $21,978. For two persons in a household, the income may be $29,637; a 3-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.

Redeeming Vouchers:

To redeem your vouchers, look for the PA Preferred logo when you visit a local farmers’ market.

Checks may only be used at farmers’ markets to purchase fruits and vegetables grown in Pennsylvania or produce that was purchased directly from a previously approved farmer from the neighboring states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia. Wholesale produce is not eligible.

Vouchers are redeemable only at participating farmers’ market/vendor sites. A list of participating farmers should be available when vouchers are distributed.

Farmers cannot accept vouchers for citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples and mangos, not growable in Pennsylvania, or processed foods such as jams, honey, cider or baked goods.

For more information on the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and participating farmers’ markets, contact your senior center in Fayette, Greene or Washington County. You may also call the Area Agency on Aging at 724-489-8080 or a county office near you: