According to the 2018 census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, Laurel County’s population now exceeds 60,000 individuals.  The census also revealed that Laurel County has a poverty rate of 23.2%, which is higher than Kentucky’s overall poverty rate of 18.2%.  Additionally, studies conducted by Feeding America indicated that 15.9% of Laurel County residents are food insecure, with 11.7% of the population being over age 65 and living below the poverty rate.  

To address the needs of older citizens in our community, the London-Laurel County Farmers Market applied for and received funding through the Senior Kentucky Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and offered the program locally during its 2019 farmers market season.  The purpose of the Kentucky Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is to gain market access for farmers while improving nutrition of low income families by providing them better access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Funding for Kentucky's program comes from federal and state resources. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) serves as the lead agency for SFMNP, which provides low-income seniors with $28 in voucher checks to purchase fresh, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs at state-approved farmers' markets.  The local market received a $2,100 grant to distribute 75 booklets of $28 vouchers to eligible senior citizens. 

                The Laurel County Extension Service agreed to assist with administering the program locally.  Bonnie Sigmon, the Horticulture agent, conducted training for farmers market vendors with regard to the rules and requirements.  Distribution of the vouchers was conducted by Judi O’Bryan, Family and Consumer Sciences agent.  Voucher sign-ups were scheduled for Saturday mornings throughout the month of July at the farmers market. The demand for the program was so great that the vouchers were distributed in only two Saturdays. Kentucky Agriculture Commission Ryan Quarles made a surprise stop at the market while we were distributing the last of the vouchers and stated that he hoped to be able to increase our funds for the program next year.

After receiving word that the senior voucher supply had run out, the Laurel County Fiscal Court donated an extra $1,000 to be used in the same fashion as the Sr. FMNP.  The Extension office designed $25 booklets for the farmers market to be distributed to seniors using the same criteria as the Sr FMNP.  When they received vouchers as payment for goods, the farmers redeemed the vouchers for cash through the market’s treasurer.  At the conclusion of the farmers market season, the London-Laurel County Farmers Market had a redemption rate of 80.95% of the KDA issued vouchers and 95.5% of the Laurel County funded vouchers.  This amounts to $2,654.95 worth of fresh locally produced fruit and vegetables that benefited the low income senior citizens and the farmers of the London- Laurel County Farmers Market.