Clarification: Reno County will start its benefits distribution June 14. The statewide distribution begins June 1. Additional comments from Barbara Lilyhorn have been added.
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has announced that the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is increasing the value of coupons for low-income seniors from $35 to $50 this year.
The coupons are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seniors can apply at the Reno County Agency on Aging between Thursday, June 14 and Friday, September 15, 2023, or until benefits are gone.
Eligible foods to purchase with the KSFMNP coupons from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and cut herbs produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions.
"No baked goods or anything like that," said Sparkle Faidley with the Reno County Farmers Market. "It can only be used at vendors that accept those vouchers. I think we only have maybe two or three this year that are accepting them."
The coupons will be sent at once and available in $5 increments. Seniors are eligible if they complete an application and are 60 years or older or at least 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization. Eligible seniors must also have an annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Faidley said the few vendors able to accept will be clearly marked.
"Each vendor in the program has a sign that will say that they accept senior nutrition vouchers," Faidley said. "The customer will have to sign the bottom of the check. It's just like a normal check. You don't have to make it out to anybody. They are government issued checks. The vendor handles the cashing process of it."
Not all the same vendors will be taking checks.
"We'll have it listed on our Facebook page," Faidley said. "I don't know how they are doing that process this year. They've completely changed it."
The Saturday markets go from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 215 West 2nd in Hutchinson.
Barbara Lilyhorn added in a release Wednesday that The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program application process in Reno County will again be conducted by telephone only – no walk-ins. The application period begins June 14, 2023.
To apply, Seniors may call 620-694-2911 beginning June 14, 2023, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. M – F. No early calls will be accepted. Please leave a voice mail message if necessary due to high call volume.
Funds are limited and benefits will be provided 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.
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 coupons to eligible seniors.
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