Contacts:
Heidi Mohlman Tringe, Vermont Agency of Human Services , (802) 241-2222, heidi.tringe@state.vt.us

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

WATERBURY – More Vermont senior citizens can get produce coupons to spend at farmers markets this year, thanks to a new round of federal money received this month. The Vermont Farm To Family Program provides eligible households with coupons to redeem for locally-grown fresh vegetables and fruits sold at over forty Vermont farmers markets. The coupons are distributed by the state’s Community Action Agencies (CAAs) on a first come, first served basis. The CAAs quickly ran out of the state-funded coupons available to any income-eligible household. However, they still have some special coupons that are federally-funded and earmarked for households with someone aged sixty or older.

The Farm to Family program is run by the Economic Services Division (ESD) of the Vermont Department for Children and Families. Mary Carlson, Food and Nutrition Program Coordinator for ESD, noted that people must meet certain income limits to qualify for the coupons, but that nearly a quarter of Vermont's population qualifies. For instance, the limits are $1,575 a month for a single person or $2,111 a month for a couple. There are enough senior coupons available to serve about 200 more elderly households statewide, according to Carlson, who invites interested seniors to contact the CAA in their area.

“Farm to Family is a terrific way for Vermonters to support the state’s farmers and treat themselves to wonderful, nutritious local foods at the same time,” said DCF Commissioner Steve Dale.

Most financial support for the Farm To Family Program, now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, is from federal grants that restrict the benefits to certain types of recipients. A new infusion of federal funds for the “senior” coupons means the program can distribute $40,000 in coupons to elderly households this year, nearly double the amount for 2006. “We had extra coupons printed just in case this might happen,” added Carlson, “but we need seniors to apply for them so those coupons can be transformed into fresh produce for the recipients and income for Vermont farmers.”