Department of Agriculture Helps Seniors Buy Fresh Produce

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Department of Agriculture Helps Seniors Buy Fresh Produce

A new government program will provide low-income seniors with $20 to $200 in benefits to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs at local farmer`s markets and roadside stands during the 2001 harvest season. The new initiative seeks to encourage seniors to improve their diets, while helping American family farmers increase their markets. The program varies from state to state and about 36 states are participating. Here are some examples:

Each of West Virginia`s 10,000 recipients will receive a 5-pound bag of West Virginia apples.
Hawaii and Choctaw, Mississippi will use paperless systems that are essentially electronic debit programs. Participants present their ID debit card at the market and the value of the produce they select is deducted from their account.
Washington State will provide biweekly home deliveries of produce to homebound seniors in the Seattle area, as an expansion of the existing Pike Place Market Basket`s community supported agriculture.
Alaska is providing transportation to get groups of seniors to and from farmers markets.
Maine has arranged with local growers to take their produce directly to congregate meal sites and housing centers.

For more information about the program and whether you are eligible call your local Area Agency on Aging. You can reach your local agency by checking your phone book or calling the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116. You may also go to the Eldercare Locator web site at http://www.eldercare.gov. Or check online for a list of state agency contacts at www.fns.usda.gov/wic/content/seniorfmnpp/sfmnppsacontacts.htm.

This article first appeared in Volume 6, Issue 6 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (May/2001). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here.