Area senior citizens can apply for the 2021 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program designed to help them improve their nutrition while helping local farmers sell their produce.
Approximately, 3,800 senior citizens in our area enrolled last year in the program offered by District Three Governmental Cooperative and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with support from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
Each individual enrolled will receive $45 in special-purpose checks that can be redeemed only for fresh, locally-grown produce at participating markets. The checks will be mailed to eligible recipients during the month of June. Seniors must apply each year.
To enroll, a person must be age 60 or older, have an income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and live in the areas served by District Three Governmental Cooperative which includes the counties of Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington and Wythe, along with the cities of Bristol and Galax, Virginia.
The monthly income limit for eligibility is $1,610 for a one-person household or $2,178 for a two-person household. Higher limits apply for larger households.
Participating vendors and members of their immediate family or household are not eligible to enroll.
Applications are available at local senior centers, offices of District Three Governmental Cooperative, at www.district-three.org or by calling 1-866-820-2646 (toll-free).
