Northhampton News

Members of the Wolf administration recently attended the PA Open Air Farmers Market at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, where they reminded low-income seniors and those in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to use vouchers from the Pennsylvania Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).

A release on Pa.gov said that the vouchers can be obtained to purchase fresh and local fruit, vegetables, and herbs from FMNP-approved farmers at farmers markets and farm stands in Pennsylvania. From June through September, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs will be offering the vouchers. Vouchers are distributed to participants from WIC clinics and Area Agencies on Aging to protect vulnerable Pennsylvania residents. Eligible recipients will receive four $6 checks to spend, and the vouchers can be redeemed from June 1 to Nov. 30.

"The Farmers Market Nutrition Program supports the health and wellbeing of seniors and families and helps facilitate even more connections and conversations between local farmers and communities, bringing neighbors together for nourishment," Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture secretary, said in the release. "I encourage everyone with program vouchers to use them to pick up some local foods and know that you're supporting a local farm family when you do.”

Seniors who are eligible must be 60 years old by Dec. 31, 2022, and have an income that does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level, which is $25,142 per year for a single person and $33,874 for a two-person household. To apply for a voucher, contact the local Senior FMNP Agency.

"Many older Pennsylvanians live on fixed incomes," Robert Torres, secretary of Aging, said in the release. "With the increasing costs of food and other necessities, these farmers market vouchers help support seniors by providing them with access to fresh, nutritious foods that are beneficial for their health and well-being. I encourage eligible seniors who have not yet received their free farmers market vouchers to contact their local Area Agency on Aging for any assistance they may require to obtain them."

Women and children ages six months to four years who are in WIC are eligible to receive the vouchers. For more information, WIC recipients should contact their local WIC agency.

"We know that providing access to healthy, affordable food is essential to help families across Pennsylvania," Dr. Denise Johnson, acting secretary of Health and Physician General, said in the release. "The WIC program provides Pennsylvanians the opportunity to learn, develop and form healthy eating habits that can have life-long benefits. This program is one example of how the work of local farmers and available resources provides families with access to fresh fruits, vegetables and other food that promote healthy lifestyles."

The value of the vouchers redeemed through the program directly benefits local farmers to the tune of more than $3 million each year.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to support access to food for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. It is also intended to support the state’s agriculture economy. Market owners who are interested can apply to be an authorized SNAP retailer through the FNS website at fns.usda.gov/snap/farmers-markets-faq.

"By taking advantage of the opportunity for free EBT equipment to accept SNAP, farmers markets can offer a new avenue for Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to spend their benefits on fresh, nutritious food," Andrew Barnes, DHS deputy executive secretary, said in the release. "And by helping Pennsylvanians keep food on the table, we are supporting local food retailers and producers, easing demand on charitable food systems, and, most importantly, helping people achieve a better quality of life that they deserve."