Farmers market coupon books distributed to low-income seniors will arrive late this year because of a delay in federal money, but they will be distributed next month, program officials said.
“They’re missing out on the lettuce, but your tomatoes and cucumbers still haven’t come in,”said Nadean Raney, director of senior center services for the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas.
The agency is in its second year of administering the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. They planned to distribute coupons during registration that started in March, then funding was held. When the money was released last week, the agency authorized printing the books and set up distribution dates.
At A Glance
Coupon Books
A person must be 60 or older and meet income guidelines to qualify for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. One coupon booklet is issued per household. Coupons are good through Oct. 31. Seniors can pick up their coupon book or apply for the program on the following dates. Proof of income and photo identification are required.
• Springdale: Springdale Senior Center, 203 Park St., 8 a.m.-noon, June 12
• Fayetteville: Fayetteville Senior Center, 945 S. College, 2–4:30 p.m., June 12
• West Fork: City Administration Building, Corner of Arkansas 170 and Campbell Street, 2:30-3:30 p.m., June 12
• Bentonville: Benton County Senior Center, 3501 S.E. L St., 8-11 a.m., June 13
• Lowell: J.B. Hunt Senior Activity Center, 704 E. Monroe St., 8:30 10 a.m., June 13
• Rogers: Dixieland Gardens Senior Housing Complex, 2205 W. Persimmon St., 1–3 p.m., June 13
• Eureka Springs: Eureka Springs Farmers Market, Pine Mountain Village on U.S. 62, 9 a.m - noon, June 20
Source: Area Agency On Aging Of Northwest Arkansas
This year, 1,921 coupon books will be printed and distributed in nine counties across Northwest Arkansas. Seniors have already signed up for 1,202, Raney said. If a senior plans to use the coupon program, they need to attend one of the June registration dates, or they may not get a booklet. The $50 coupon book program is first-come, first-serve. Local matching grants increase the coupon book value in some areas.
About 350 seniors spent their vouchers with the Springdale market last year, said Jim McGuire, vendor and president of the Springdale Farmer’s Market board.
Although the coupon books are late, gardens are also late because of cold, wet weather this spring, McGuire said. Tomatoes begin to arrive the first of July, he said.
It's the fourth year for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program in Northwest Arkansas. A single senior with a monthly income of $1,772 or a family of two with an income of $2,392 qualify for the program, according to agency paperwork.
“Many of those seniors were coming to the market regularly; they just didn’t have as much money to spend,” McGuire said.
They might buy sweet corn or green beans or plan on making kohlrabi coleslaw, McGuire said.
Vouchers from the program are good for fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey, Raney said.
Programs that aid low-income customers such as the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children also help vendors, McGuire said.
“It’s been important to the development and the growth of the farmers markets,” McGuire said.
The Rogers Farmers Market saw about $8,000 in income from the vouchers combined with matching grants, said Kimberly Scott, manager.
Managers at both Bentonville and Fayetteville markets said seniors have been asking about the program.
The Fayetteville market coordinates appreciation days with seniors centers where seniors can be bused to the market, said Lori Boatright, general manager of the market. Many of the same seniors who qualify for aid through the program may have trouble finding a way to get to the market. They can assign a proxy shopper, but part of the experience is talking with the vendors and often telling the stories about gardens they have grown.
Shopping at the market can take many seniors back to their youth, said Nicki McNelly, manager of the Bentonville Farmers Market.
“They may not have the space or the time or the ability to garden, but their eyes light up when they get a big, ripe heirloom tomato,” McNelly said.