Program to benefit farmers, seniors

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is for Columbiana County residents 60 and older.

STAFF REPORT

WASHINGTONVILLE — The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program will kick off in Columbiana County with a press conference Friday at Catalpa Grove Farm Market on state Route 14, between Columbiana and Washingtonville.

State Rep. Linda Bolon of Columbiana, D-1st, vice chairwoman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, and State Sen. Jason Wilson of Columbiana, D-30th, assistant minority whip, will be on hand to start the program that will bring in $33,000 in federal money that will benefit local farmers and ensure older adults are eating healthful, fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Community Action Agency of Columbiana County is partnering with the Area Agency on Aging Inc. County adults 60 and older who meet income eligibility will be able use coupons at eight farm-markets located throughout the county for locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Those who qualify can sign up for the program through the CAA. Each eligible person can get 10 $5 coupons that can be redeemed for produce at a participating farmers’ market. The grant will allow 600 seniors in Columbiana to be served.

Participants must make $19,240 or less as a single person or $25,900 or less in a household of two. Participants can use coupons over the course of the growing season or all at once.

No change will be given, and coupons cannot be redeemed for a cash value. For example, if someone buys $6 worth of produce, he/she may use one $5 coupon and add $1 instead of using another $5 coupon.

The administrative cost for the program is $3,000, and $30,000 will be available to participating farmers.

The program runs throughout the growing season of May through October, and all coupons must be used by Oct. 31.

The following farm markets so far are signed up and will be participating: Catalpa Grove Farm; Van Pelt Farm Market, Columbiana; River’s Bend Farm Market, Alliance; Stoffer’s Farm Market, Homeworth; Dillon Fruit Farm, Lisbon; and Peace Valley Orchard, Rogers.

For information on signing up for the program, call the CAA at (330) 424-4013.