(Des Moines, IA) – Today Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) Director Donna K. Harvey and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced that Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program applications are now available for low-income older Iowans.
“The Iowa Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits low-income older Iowans. This program provides the qualified user with coupons which can be redeemed at participating Farmer’s Markets throughout Iowa for fresh fruits and vegetables,” Director Harvey stated. “Applications for the coupons are available through our Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) throughout Iowa.”
The program provides low-income seniors with 10 checks for $3 each that can be redeemed for fresh, locally grown produce at authorized farmers markets and farm stands from June 1 through October 31, 2013.
“Iowa’s farmers markets and farm stands are a great source of healthy and nutritious foods, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives Iowa seniors greater access to local food choices,” Northey stated.
A combination of state and federal funds will be used to make benefits available to more than 20,000 eligible seniors this year.
Eligible seniors must be sixty years of age or older with a household income level at or below $21,256 if single or $28,693 for a married couple.
Iowa seniors will be asked to complete a one page application verifying their eligibility, by providing their birth date and the last four digits of their social security number.
Eligible seniors will be able to receive checks once during the season and will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
The local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) distribute the farmer’s market coupons and nutritional education. To find an Area Agency on Aging near you, contact the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging (i4a) toll free at 866-468-7887 or go to their website www.i4a.org.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is administered through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. For more information contact Paul Ovrom, Program Administrator at 515-242-6239 or Paul.Ovrom@iowaagriculture.gov .
For more information on the Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) go to www.iowaaging.gov.
More information on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship can be found at: www.iowaagriculture.gov.
