NUTRITION PROGRAM Vouchers give the poor Pennsylvania produce

Participants can get $20 worth of fresh produce grown in the state.
SHARON, Pa. -- Eligible Pennsylvania senior citizens and WIC recipients can begin redeeming their Farmer's Market Nutrition Program vouchers.
The program provides income-eligible seniors and Women, Infants & amp; Children recipients with four checks totaling $20 that can be used to purchase food defined as "grown or growable in Pennsylvania," along with a list of participating farmers, farmers markets and roadside stands where the vouchers are accepted.
The Mercer County Area Agency on Aging Inc. is a local distributor of the vouchers. The program runs through Nov. 30.
Consumers are able to purchase farm-fresh produce from local vendors at the height of their taste and nutritional value.
"We received $1.5 million in grants from USDA to fund the Farmers Market Nutrition Program this year, & quot; said Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania agriculture secretary.
"By supplementing that federal funding with our state program, we will be able to serve 144,000 people in Pennsylvania even as we help our farmers markets and roadside stands flourish."
Restrictions
USDA rules do not permit using the checks for any processed foods such as jams, honey, nuts, cider or baked goods. The rules also don't permit the purchase of any citrus or tropical fruits that are not grown in Pennsylvania.
To qualify for the program, seniors must meet income requirements and be 60 and older. For a single person, the income requirement is $17,224, and for a couple, it is $23,107. WIC eligibility is determined by the local WIC agency and would include women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum or have children who are 2-5 that qualify for the regular WIC program.
Local eligible recipients should contact any of the Area Agency on Aging offices or the WIC office at the Shenango Valley Urban League in Farrell for more information on locations, dates and times of check distribution.