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, hone, 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 voucher system provides seven $4.00 vouchers to each eligible senior citizen. This year the Kenton County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent accepted the responsibility to market the Senior Voucher program and distribute them to qualified Kenton County residents. The agent set up at the local farmers markets, reached out to senior living facilities through phone calls and flyers, and also called upon other agencies to spread the word. The Elsmere Senior Center Director hosted the agent on three different occasions to make sure the residents in her community had the opportunity to take part in the voucher program.  Vouchers were also distributed at the Kenton County Extension office on multiple days. This was the first year for the Senior Farmers Market Vouchers to be distributed through the Kenton County office. Twenty booklets of vouchers were dispersed to seniors who had never used one in the past. Of those people receiving the vouchers 18 disclosed they had not shopped at the farmers market before. The potential increase in sales at the local farmers market is $560 or more. Next year the agent will have the opportunity to receive the vouchers earlier in the season in an effort to distribute a significant amount more.