SNAP-Ed Success Story 2023-2024

Nancy Owens-Sr. Nutrition Education Program/SNAP-Ed Assistant

Farmers Market Vouchers for Seniors

In Allen County, KY. The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program was being discontinued, so the Allen County Cooperative Extension Service felt the need to step up and keep this wonderful program going for the citizens of our county. The first step to keeping this program alive was to work with the local United States Department of Agriculture Office to get information on how we could keep the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program going in Allen County.

In Allen County, 17% of the population are senior citizens, 9% are below the income poverty level. It is important for the senior citizens to receive assistance when possible. The local food pantry was unable to continue the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program for the year of 2024. By partnering with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 110 seniors received a SFMN card with $50.00 to spend at the local Farmers Market. When attending the local Farmers Market the seniors are also given$16.00 in additional funds for a total of $66.00 for each participant. With the voucher, seniors could purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared locally grown vegetables, herbs, and honey through October 31^st, 2024. The seniors of Allen County received a total $7,260.00 to purchase nutritious foods while helping the local economy and farmers in Allen County. It is very important to not only teach the seniors about nutrition, but to provide locally grown fresh nutritious foods, when possible.