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 eight $6.00 vouchers to each eligible senior citizen. This year the Hardin County Extension Horticulture Agent accepted the responsibility to market the Senior Voucher program and distribute them to qualified Hardin County residents. The agent set up at the local farmers markets and contacted the local food bank to spread the word. This was the third year for the Senior Farmers Market Vouchers to be distributed. One hundred twenty booklets of vouchers were dispersed to seniors. Of those people receiving the vouchers 54 disclosed they had not shopped at the farmers market before. The potential increase in sales at the local farmers market is $5760 plus the added benefit of the Double Dollars program can double the revenue into the market to $11,520.

For the 2020 season, the market redeemed 88% of the vouchers distributed for a total of $4608 of additional revenue to the farmers.