This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

State Gives Seniors Free Fruits and Veggies

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides seniors with nutritious foods, while adding a financial boost for local farmers.

What could make a meal made with fresh summer fruits and vegetables taste even better? How about knowing that the fresh fruits and vegetables were free?

The Senior Famers Market Nutrition Program is making $20 worth of vouchers available to Montgomery County residents over the age of 60 who meet income requirements.

“It’s to help the farmers and also the seniors,” said Jack Tarman, executive director of the Willow Grove Community Development Corporation.

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A nonprofit that helps residents find affordable housing, the Willow Grove Community Development Corporation is serving as one of the county's 26 voucher distribution sites.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture makes the money available throughout the state, and also certifies farmers markets where the vouchers can be cashed in for local produce. Seniors are able to buy nutritious foods, and local farmers see a financial boost.

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s really a win-win on everyone’s part,” said Lisa Lang, who distributes the vouchers at the Willow Grove Community Development Corporation.

Montgomery county residents age 60 and over whose income is less than $20,147 for an individual, or less than $27,214 for a couple, can receive four $5 vouchers to be used at farmers markets.  

“You can use them anywhere in the state at a certified farmers market,” said Lang.

Tarman said some seniors take advantage of the senior discount on the R6 train, and ride down to the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia for $1.

“It’s a day out,” said Tarman.

Patrick Druhan, director of food and nutrition resources at the Community Action Development Commission, the lead Montgomery County agency overseeing the voucher program, said 15,000 $5 vouchers are being distributed throughout the county, or a total of $75,000 in vouchers.

The vouchers are given out in $5 increments because the farmers markets cannot give change for the vouchers.

Seniors can choose to spend the $20 in one trip or use the $5 vouchers over time.

“The last day to spend the checks is Nov. 30,” said Lang. 

Residents in Eastern Montgomery County can pick up vouchers at the Willow Grove Community Development Corporation Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or by appointment.

Willow Grove resident Barbara Meyers picked up her vouchers recently. Meyers said she has taken advantage of the voucher program for the past four years, and she likes to spend the money at the Glenside Farmers Market

“I usually get cabbage and potatoes, and sometimes carrots,” said Meyers.

Jesse Howe, market director at the Glenside Farmers Market, said his three main vendors—Lone Wolf Market, Landisdale Farm and Herrcastle Farm—are all approved to take the vouchers. 

“They sell a wide variety of fruits and vegetables,” said Howe.

Only fruits and vegetables that are “grown or growable” in Pennsylvania are eligible to be purchased with vouchers, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

This year’s list of foods eligible to purchase with vouchers includes, but is not limited to:

  • apples
  • berries
  • peaches
  • artichokes
  • beets
  • cabbage
  • corn
  • leeks
  • onion
  • potatoes
  • rhubarb
  • sweet potatoes
  • tomatoes
  • zucchini

“You couldn’t have bananas or pineapples,” said Druhan, as these fruits could not be grown in Pennsylvania.   

Howe said the farmers market has participated in the program since about 2003, when the program went from a few locations to statewide. 

“It changes every year as far as the [pickup] locations go. That can make it confusing for seniors,” said Howe, “I had a couple of seniors ask me, ‘How do I get my coupons?’ ”

Howe added that while mobility issues may keep some seniors from the weekly famers market, he believes seniors enjoy the market for several reasons.

“A lot of the elderly were raised on a farm or near a farm,” said Howe, “Coming to the farmers market brings back memories for them.”

Druhan added that it is important for participating seniors to go to a farmers market and spend the vouchers because, like a gift card, the vouchers have no real monetary value until redeemed with the market vendor.

“Every time someone doesn’t spend a check, it means less money for farmers,” said Druhan.

Seniors who want to take advantage of the seniors farmer's market program might want to pick up their vouchers soon.

“Things are going pretty fast this year,” said Druhan.

He said this year could be the first year that the county runs out of vouchers.

See the attached documents for more information about other voucher pickup locations, approved farmers markets, and eligible fruits and vegetables.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?