Low-income Kansas seniors may be eligible for a program that provides coupon
vouchers to purchase fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables and honey at farmers markets in selected counties throughout the state.
The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is providing low-income seniors who meet age and income requirements with $50 in coupon vouchers to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized farmers at local participating farmers markets. Coupon booklets containing 10 vouchers worth $5 each will be distributed.
To be eligible to receive KSFMNP coupon vouchers, the following criteria must be met:
1. Age: A senior must be 60 years old or older, or at least 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization, on the day the money is issued.
2. Income level: A senior’s annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For example, a household of one must have an annual gross income at or below $27,861, or a monthly gross income at or below $2,322.
The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program application process in Reno County will again be conducted by telephone. However, those who do not have a telephone may visit the Reno County Department of Aging at 120 W Avenue B in Hutchinson for assistance. The application period begins June 18, 2024.
To apply, Seniors may call 620-694–2985 or 620-694- 2909 beginning June 18, 2024, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. M – F. No early calls will be accepted.
A limited number of coupon vouchers are available and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, call the Reno County Department of Aging at 620-694-2911.
Eligible foods to purchase with the KSFMNP checks from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as “fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and herbs for human consumption that are produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions.”
The Senior Farmers’ Market Program is a project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The program is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), which is collaborating with local partners to identify and distribute coupon booklets to eligible seniors.
The program is currently available in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Clay, Cloud, Chase, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Franklin, Geary, Harvey, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Linn, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Miami, Mitchell, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation,
Rawlins, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Stafford, Smith, Sumner, Thomas, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wilson, and Wyandotte.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
