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The Elder Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides coupons, for seniors aged 60 and over at 185% of the poverty level, to purchase locally grown fresh produce from any of the five farmers' markets located within Alachua County. The program, which contains no administrative funding, is coordinated by ElderCare of Alachua County, Inc., along with the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs. This was the first program of its type in the state of Florida. Alachua County was originally chosen as the pilot site due to the number and success of existing farmer's markets, the number of seniors in the county (over 26,000), and that it is one of the hungriest counties in the state.

The ACFM participates in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program sponsored by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, which provides funds for low-income senior to purchase produce at Farmers’ Markets in Alachua County. The program is run similar to the WIC program with training for both programs being conducted concurrently. The Senior Program began March 1, 2001, and has continued through the present. Inserted below is a partial USDA News Release dated January 4, 2001, which explains further details of the Senior Program.

Glickman Awards Grants to Help Seniors Buy Fresh Produce at Farmers Markets

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2001 - Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today awarded nearly $15 million in grants to help more than 370,000 low-income seniors in 31 states, four Indian Tribal Governments and one Indian Tribal Organization buy fresh produce at farmers markets.

“This new initiative encourages low-income seniors to improve their diets, while helping America’s family farmers increase their markets for locally-grown fruits and vegetables,” Glickman said.

The new initiative, announced by President Clinton last November, will provide recipients with $20 to $200 in benefits that vary from state to state, for use during the 2001 harvest season to purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from 3,500 farmers at 950 farmers’ markets, as well as 560 roadside stands and nearly 90 community supported agriculture programs.

The initiative will be administered by state and tribal governments, many of which have developed creative, collaborative efforts to provide nutrition education to participating senior citizens. For example:

• Each of West Virginia’s 10,000 recipients will receive a 5-pound bag of West Virginia apples.
• Hawaii and Choctaw/Mississippi will use paperless systems that are essentially electronic debit programs. Participants present their ID card at the market and the value of the produce they select is deducted from their account.
• Washington State will provide biweekly home deliveries of produce to homebound seniors in the Seattle area, as an expansion of the existing Pike Place Market Basket’s community supported agriculture.
• Alaska is providing transportation to get groups of senior to and from farmers markets.
• Maine has arranged with local growers to take their produce directly to congregate meal sites and housing centers.

List of Authorizied Fruits & Vegetables

Only Fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Florida or within 50 miles of the farmers’ market may be purchased with Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupons . Coupons may not be used to purchase meat, seafood, eggs, cheese, nuts and seeds, honey, maple syrup, cider or any other products than the items listed below.

Contact the ACFM at marketmanger@441market.com

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