Low-income Kansas adults over 60 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 is providing adults 60+ 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 coupons, the following criteria must be met:
Age: An applicant 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.
Income level: An applicant’s annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) must be at or below 185 percent 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 June 1 at the Butler County Department on Aging, The Pointe in Augusta, 2101 Dearborn, Ste. 302, Augusta; Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, 271 West 3rd St. North, Wichita; and the Harvey County Department on Aging, Harvey County Courthouse, 800 N Main St., Newton. Funds are limited and checks will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, contact your local distribution site.
• Butler County Department on Aging (Butler County) 316-775-0500
• Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (Sedgwick County) 1-855-200-2372
• Harvey County Department on Aging (Harvey County) 316-284-6880
Eligible foods to purchase with the 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 Food and Nutrition Service.
Monica Cissell is director of information and community services for Central Plains Area Agency on Aging. Visit www.cpaaa.org or call 855-200-2372.
