Popular senior farmers market vouchers to be handed out
By Danielle Camilli Staff writer Burlington County Times
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 9:00 am
MOUNT HOLLY — The local farmers market season is in full gear, and again the Burlington County Office on Aging is encouraging seniors to buy fresh with the help of federal vouchers for eligible residents.
The office will begin giving out the vouchers this week, to be used to buy fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables from participating local farmers markets. The markets and program direction will be included with each set of $20 vouchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, officials said.
On Friday, county staff was still firming up details and preparing vouchers for delivery. In all, the Office on Aging will visit 58 sites to hand out the vouchers throughout the season.
Officials will give out 6,000 vouchers, each worth $5, to 1,500 income-eligible seniors, said Anna Payanzo, director of the county Human Services Department. More may become available later in the year, officials said.
Income-eligible seniors age 60 and older can receive $20 worth of vouchers for use at any approved farmers market in the state. There are more than 20 registered markets in Burlington County, including the County Farmers’ Market, which is open Saturdays at the Community Agricultural Center at Centerton and Hartford roads in Moorestown.
To be eligible, a senior can have income of up to $20,665 and married seniors can have income of up to $27,991 before June 30. As of July 1, the income eligibility increases to $21,257 for single seniors and $28,694 for married seniors. Both husband and wife can receive vouchers, officials said.
County staff will process the request for vouchers at the sites and must have identification to prove age and county residency. Seniors can self-declare their income.
The 58 locations include senior centers, farmers markets, residential senior living centers and other places where seniors congregate, officials said.
Seniors can come to the Office on Aging at the Human Services Building on Woodlane Road in Westampton during business hours, or they can call to find out if office representatives will be at a location near them. The schedule is being finalized.
Vouchers can be redeemed through Nov. 30.
Officials reminded seniors that the redemption of the vouchers is critical because it helps determine the county’s funding level for the next year. The program is an initiative of the county, state and federal government to provide a nutritional benefit to seniors to enhance their diets, bring awareness, and provide opportunity to expand the sales of locally grown produce.
For more information, how to apply and a list of all distribution sites, call the Burlington County Office on Aging at 609-265-5069 or toll-free 1-877-222-3737.