To help promote and encourage local farmers’ markets, Nebraska is again offering the Nebraska Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Dave Heineman is urging Nebraska residents to visit local farmers' markets this summer to buy locally grown produce.
Heineman is also touting a state program that gives coupons to low-income senior citizens so they can buy food at local farmers' markets.
The state agriculture department says 5,400 participating seniors redeemed $223,000 worth of coupons last year. This year's program kicked off on June 1.
State agriculture officials say there are more than 75 markets now in 62 cities throughout Nebraska. More than 600 produce growers have registered with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, up from 78 in 2000.
Online: http://www.ourbesttoyou.nebraska.gov/
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
The program provides low-income senior citizens with coupons to purchase fresh produce or honey at Nebraska farmers’ markets and roadside stands. The purposes of the program are to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey to low-income seniors and increase the consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the development of new farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
Qualifications for the program include categorical and income eligibility requirements. Participants must be 60 years of age or older. Income is measure in one of two ways. An individual, single household’s gross income cannot exceed $20,146, and a two-person household’s gross income cannot exceed $27,213.
Older adults wanting to be considered for the program may be asked to provide documentation showing age and income at the time of registration.
Coupon distribution starts this month and continues through August. Coupons must be spent before October 31st. Coupons are available through participating Area Agencies on Aging, local senior centers, and local Commodity Supplemental Food Programs’ distribution sites.
In Keith County, people can contact the Keith County Senior Center at 284-6740.
(Copyright 2012 by Clear Channel Ogallala. All Rights Reserved.)
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