MERCER COUNTY Produce coupons help seniors

Older county residents can get $20 worth of free fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- About 3,000 people took advantage of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program in Mercer County last year, and the number is expected to be at least that high this summer.
Mercer County Area Agency on Aging Inc. runs the program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
It provides older people with $20 checks to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from participating local farmers markets during the summer. The checks are not redeemable at stores.
In addition to providing nutritional benefits to senior citizens, the program is designed to stimulate the production of fruits and vegetables by local growers who make their produce available, said aging-agency spokesman Tom Woerz.
The agency and the Department of Agriculture launched a pilot version of the program four years ago, limiting initial participation to older residents in just Sharon, Farrell, Wheatland, Sharpsville and West Middlesex.
"We had 2,000 the first year," Woerz said, noting the program had been popular from its inception.
Program expansion
The state agreed to expand the program nationwide in its second year, and this summer marks its fourth season.
There were only a handful of participating markets the first year, but the number has grown annually. Twenty farmers markets in the county are taking part this season, Woerz said.
To qualify for the $20 checks, participants must be at least 60 years old and have a gross income of no more than $16,391 for a single person or $22,089 for a couple.
Proof of age and residency is required.
Woerz said the $20 will be handed out as four $5 checks that can be used at participating farmers markets in Mercer County.
Locations and dates where the checks will be handed out are:
UShenango Valley Center for Aging, 220 N. Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage: 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays except July 4.
UGreenville Knights of Columbus, 170 Clarksville St., Greenville: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9.
UGreenville Area Senior Community Center, 339 E. Jamestown Road, Greenville: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays beginning July 10.
UGrove City Senior Community Center, 301 S. Broad St., Grove City: 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
UMcQuiston Center by the Park, 29 Railroad St., Sandy Lake: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays except July 4.
UMercer County Area Agency on Aging, 133 N. Pitt St., Mercer: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays except July 4.