Date: June 12, 2007
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbara.conant@aging.ks.gov
Director of Public Affairs
(785) 296-6154
The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is providing low-income seniors in 18 counties the opportunity to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets and roadside stands again this year.
The program, established as a competitive grant in the 2002 federal agriculture bill, this year becomes a permanent program. The Kansas Department on Aging will receive nearly $180,000 for the program, which will run from May 5 through Sept. 30 this year.
“This has been a popular program, both with the seniors and the producers,” Secretary of Aging Kathy Greenlee said. “We are glad that it is being made a permanent program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
Designed to promote better nutrition among low-income seniors as well as to expand the revenue base for farmers marketing fresh, locally grown produce, the KFMSNP provides 15 checks totaling $30 to eligible seniors to use to buy the fresh produce.
Seniors eligible to receive the checks are those who qualify to participate in either the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) or the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). They must be 60 or older and have a household income below 130% of the federal poverty level. They also must be a resident of one of the participating counties: Atchison, Bourbon, Cowley, Dickinson, Douglas, Finney, Harvey, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lyon, McPherson, Reno, Republic, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Wyandotte.
Checks will be distributed by the local food assistance programs.
Farmers wanting to participate in the program must be trained and sign an agreement with KDOA. For further information, contact Tamara Tiemann, program manager, at KDOA: 785-296-6445 or tamaratiemann@aging.state.ks.us.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.