Describe the Issue or Situation.

In 2019, the Floyd County Farmers’ Market became eligible to accept the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Vouchers.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

The Floyd County Extension Office became the distributor for this program and has continued through 2025 with the Family & Consumer Science and SNAP-ed Nutrition Education Program. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides redeemable vouchers for fresh, unprocessed local fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey through approved Farmer’s Markets vendors to low-income seniors. This helps increase fruit and vegetable consumption for low-income seniors in Kentucky as well as encouraging them to shop local and support local Farmers.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

One hundred Floyd County Senior Citizens

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

This program provides low-income seniors with $50 vouchers in addition to $20 double dollars to spend at the Farmers’ Market. In 2019, the redemption rate was less than 60%. In 2020, the redemption rate grew to 76.26% and in August 2021, the redemption is above the state average at 50%. In 2024, the redemption rate was at 76.43%, rising slightly higher than years prior.  This has increased vendor sales by at least $6,420.12. In 2025, a total of 100 vouchers were distributed. With an expected redemption rate of 76% as the previous two years, the market will have received $3,800 funding from the Senior Nutrition Program.

Over the years, this program has had returning seniors come to claim their annual vouchers and have vouched for this program. Seniors have stated that this has given them access to fresh, locally grown produce during the summer season. Some have also stated to have canned the produce they have purchased with the Senior Nutrition Program.