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Seniors can receive coupons to buy food at farmers markets
new farmers-market

Low-income Kansas senior citizens may be eligible for a program that provides coupons to purchase fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables and honey at farmers markets in selected counties throughout the state.

The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) provides seniors who meet age and income requirements with $50 in coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized farmers at local participating farmers markets, June 1 through Sept. 15. Coupons are available in $5 increments.

To be eligible to receive KSFMNP coupons, the following criteria must be met:

1. Age: A senior must be 60 years old or older, or at least 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization, on the day the money is issued.

2. Income level: A senior’s annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For example, a household of one must have an annual gross income at or below $26,973, or a monthly gross income at or below $2,248.

Applications for the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program will be available starting on June 1 at the Barton County Health Department. Seniors may apply on-site from Monday through Friday during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Funds are limited and benefits will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, call Barton County Health Department at 620-793-1902.

Eligible foods to purchase with the KSFMNP coupons from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as “fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and herbs for human consumption that are produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions.”

The Senior Farmers’ Market Program is a project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The program is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), which is collaborating with local partners to identify and distribute coupons to eligible seniors. 

The program is currently available in the following  area counties: Barton, Ellsworth, Pawnee, Rice, Russell and Stafford.