Author: Jason Vaughn
Planning Unit: Powell County CES
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Plan of Work: Nutrition and Food Systems
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is valued by Seniors and Farmers in Powell County. The program provides residents below a certain economic threshold and age, market vouchers worth $30 dollars. Seniors use the vouchers as cash at the Powell County Farmers’ Market and the farmers return the vouchers to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for reimbursement. The program is a win-win providing seniors access to locally produced nutrition while supporting our local farmers and economy. Covid-19 provided challenges in implementing the program with our vulnerable at-risk seniors. The Powell County Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Powell County Health Department developed educational info graphics included with the voucher folders to inform seniors of safe practices to implement as well as developing a formal training for Farmers’ Market vendors to ensure a safe market experience. The vouchers were issued to 160 seniors in Powell County and had a redemption rate of 70%. The program provided $3,380 worth of fresh, local produce for seniors in addition to support for the local agriculture economy.
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