The Catskill Chronicle

NEW YORK STATE (July 14, 2014) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that $1.5 million in farmers’ market checks are being distributed across the state as part of the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. Made possible with funding from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the program provides checkbooks worth $20 to low-income New Yorkers age 60 and older to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

In upstate communities, checks will be available at county Area Agencies on Aging.

“By providing low-income seniors with the means to purchase fresh, homegrown food, we are empowering thousands of New Yorkers to lead healthier lives while also supporting local farmers’ markets across the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am proud to join our federal partners to make this program a success, and I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to explore a farmers’ market near them this summer.”

Checks are available for low-income New Yorkers 60 or over, earning $1,800 or less per month for a single or $2,426 per month for a couple. The program provides them with the means to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers selling at community farmers’ markets.

Nearly 100,000 booklets consisting of five $4.00 checks are being distributed, and can be used to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables from 950 farmers vending at 500 community farmers’ markets across the state. The program is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in cooperation with the New York State Office for the Aging, the New York City Department for the Aging and the New York State Department of Health. Checks can be used at participating farmers markets through November 30 of this year.

Eligible recipients must be age 60 or older and meet the income eligibility requirement, or affirm that they are currently receiving or eligible to receive one of the following benefits:

· Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
· Public assistance or Section 8 housing subsidy.
· Recipients cannot have received FMNP checks from any other location.

A pocket folder with instructions on how and where to use the checks to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers at the market will be included with each checkbook.

For a listing of farmers’ markets across the state, please visit www.data.ny.gov.