Charleston, WV – Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers are now available in all 55 counties in West Virginia.
Vouchers are distributed by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrient (SFMN) Program. Vouchers can be exchanged for fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs from farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs. Eligible seniors over the age of 60 can sign up at their local senior centers. SFMN vouchers are distributed to seniors who meet certain requirements.
“Having access to fresh, healthy foods is important to any diet” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “These vouchers allow our seniors to purchase foods that they may not be able to afford otherwise. We want seniors who are on a fixed income to have access to these products.”
In 2017, the WVDA and its partners distributed a total of 16,655 vouchers to seniors in West Virginia. A total of 329 farmers participated in the program by accepting the vouchers. West Virginia has one of the highest redemption rates in the country at 88 percent. The national redemption rate is 82 percent.
“This is a win-win for our seniors and farmers. The program helps expand market opportunities for farmers while providing additional access to produce. The SFMN program is good health for our seniors and the West Virginia economy,” Leonhardt said.
For the list of farmers markets accepting vouchers, please click here:https://agriculture.wv.
For list of participating senior citizen centers, please click here:https://agriculture.wv.