The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides eligible low- income seniors with redeemable vouchers for fresh, unprocessed local fruits, vegetables, and herbs at approved Farmer's Markets, The program helps improve nutrition for low-income families, by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The program also increases local farm sales and encourages individuals to shop at the local Farmers Market. 

The Elliott County Farmers Market has always been a strong and helpful group in our community. Providing fresh and affordable produce to the area. The Market producers had participated in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, in years past but this season, this valuable program was updated to a electronic card system. This system allowed voucher distributors to keep up with how much voucher money was being spent and allowed a better evaluation of the program. 

After looking at the numbers and reports in Elliott County, The folks working with the Farmers Market and the Elliott County Extension Office were very excited to see that the 2022 SFMNP program was a huge Success!!! 

The voucher cards and program funds were a little late arriving at the office to be distributed due to the new card system but the staff and a couple great volunteers, here at the extension office went to work figuring out a plan to get citizens of the county, who were eligible, signed up and issue their new SFMNP card. 

225 SFMNP Cards were issued to eligible citizens in Elliott County on a first come first serve basis. Each card was loaded with 48$ to spend at the Farmers Market through the soli market app, allowed vendors to scan the voucher cards and redeem the participants voucher. 225 cards at 48$ allowed the program to provide Elliott County Participants with $10,800 worth of nutritious produce that they may not have gotten otherwise. 

Out of the $10,800 issued, $10,073 was utilized by citizens of Elliott County which is a 93% Redemption rate! 

We were very excited to see such great  numbers and look forward to the 2023 SFMNP Program.