Budget Money Will Help Low-Income Seniors Buy Food at Farmers Markets

Customers peruse vegetables and fruits and a local farmers market

Money included in this year’s state budget will provide free farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from area farmers markets to 110,000 seniors from across the state.

 

The money will also help area farmers by allowing them to sell more products and will help the seniors eat healthy and boost their nutritional intake.

As part of her “Grown in New York” initiative, state Sen. Patricia Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie, chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, sought the new funding to expand the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which gives $20 coupons to low-income seniors that can be redeemed at Farmers Markets across the state. 

“We are all living longer, and good nutrition is important to a healthy lifestyle. But studies show that only one in three seniors are regularly buying and eating fresh, quality produce, like that which is grown by local farmers and available right now at area Farmers Markets,” Ritchie said.

“That’s why I worked this year to expand the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program so that more seniors, living on fixed budgets, won’t have to choose between healthy eating and balancing their checkbooks.

Coupon booklets will be made available over the next few weeks through local county Offices for the Aging. The coupons can be redeemed for purchases at local farmers markets.

Ritchie has published a full schedule of local markets on her website— www.ritchie.nysenate.gov —and distributed more than 60,000 printed copies, as part of her continuing effort to connect consumers and local farmers, and support the Northern and Central New York agriculture economy.

The new funding in this year’s budget allows 110,000 low-income seniors to access the Senior Farmers Market Nutritional Program statewide.

Eligible seniors can earn up to $1,800 a month, or $2,426 for a couple.

Applications Being Accepted for Food Program Grants

News from the USDA:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking application for money to assist low-income people and communities for developing local and independent food system.

The USDA announced Thursday the availability of $9 million. The National INstitute of Food and Agriculture is funding grants through the Community Food Projects program (CFP), authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill).

Grants are intended to help eligible, private, nonprofit entities in need of a one-time installment of federal assistance to establish and carry out multipurpose community food projects. Projects are funded from $10,000 to $300,000 and up to 36 months. 

All grants require a dollar-for-dollar match in resources.

Applications are due March 1. Click here  request for applications for specific program requirements.

"Community Foods Projects provide the opportunity for low-income communities to become more self-reliant and take control of their own food systems," said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director. "These projects create food systems that are economically equitable and socially and environmentally sustainable, providing real solutions for communities most in need."

Community Food Projects involve the entire food system. Projects assess strengths and establish connections among existing food systems, resulting in improved food systems that support self-reliance.

CFP is an important part of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which works to strengthen and support local and regional food systems. More information on the initiative, including an interactive map of CFP and other federally-supported local food projects, can be found at: www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer.

The primary goals of the Community Food Projects program are to:

(1) meet the food needs of low-income individuals; 
(2) increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities; 
(3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; and 
(4) meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions and the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Since 2009, NIFA has provided more than $28 million to 154 Community Food Project awards in 48 states to help communities improve access to healthy, local food. 

Past projects include Philadelphia Green, which supports small-scale growers in their efforts to bring fresh, locally grown produce to the Philadelphia metro area, and RootDown LA, which is engaging Los Angeles-area youth in community gardens.

Funding for the CFP program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. 

For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.