Whitley County, Kentucky, has a population of approximately 36,755 residents, with 5,779 individuals aged 65 and older. The county faces a 25.1% poverty rate, which is significantly higher than the state average. Many seniors in the area live on extremely limited incomes, often below $1,200 per month, making access to fresh, nutritious food a serious concern. With inflation and rising food costs, vulnerable seniors are increasingly at risk of food insecurity and poor nutrition outcomes.

     To address this need, Whitley County Kentucky State University Small Farm Extension Program partnered with the University of Kentucky Extension and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. Over the course of two years, the program provided 160 seniors with $50.00 vouchers (totaling $8,000) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables directly from local farmers. Outreach efforts included individual phone calls, flyers, and in-person education about market locations, eligible foods, and how to use the cards. Local farmers, farmers' market staff, and Extension personnel were involved in supporting participants and answering questions throughout the process.

     The target audience was low-income adults aged 65 and over who met federal income eligibility requirements. Participants were required to have monthly incomes below $2,413 for a one-person household, with most reporting incomes of less than $1,200 per month. Over two years, 160 eligible seniors received vouchers. Participants included a diverse group of individuals living in both urban and rural areas of Whitley County, many of whom face mobility and transportation challenges and rely on community-based support services.

      Evaluation data from the 2024 program year revealed that 60% of participants fully redeemed their vouchers, increasing their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and helping offset rising grocery costs. Participants reported improved diet quality, more variety in their meals, and a greater sense of autonomy and dignity in selecting their own food.

     In response to the redemption rate, outreach efforts in the current program year have shifted to include more targeted follow-up and educational reminders to encourage use of the vouchers. The goal is to increase the redemption rate to 80%, ensuring more participants take full advantage of the benefit.

     Local farmers also reported increased sales and stronger relationships with senior customers, demonstrating positive economic impact for producers and the broader community. The program continues to build bridges between agriculture, nutrition, and senior services while addressing the urgent need for food access among Whitley County’s most vulnerable residents.