The start of the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program has been delayed due to technology issues. There is no confirmed start date at this time, so recipients will not be able to receive benefits on June 1, as expected.
The KSFMNP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The program provides annual benefits to low-income seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized farmers at Farmers Markets in Kansas.
Benefits are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. To complete an application, contact the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging by calling 620-431-2980.
Benefits are distributed to eligible applicants between June 1 and Sept. 30, or until benefits are gone, whichever happens first.
Applicants who qualify will receive a booklet of $5 coupons for a one-time annual benefit of $50 to purchase eligible foods from authorized farmers.
The goal of KSFMNP is to increase senior’s consumption of fruits and vegetables, increase the direct marketing of Kansas foods. They also aim to provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from farmers markets, roadside stands, and Community Supported Agriculture programs to low income seniors To be eligible, one must be at least 60 years of age and meet income eligibility guidelines or 55 years of age and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization who meetsw income eligibility guidelines.
Applications and eligibility requirements can be found at https://www.kdhe. ks. gov/ 1053/ Senior- Applicants.
