Feb. 12, 2025 -- A highly popular state Department of Agriculture program that helps older residents and local farmers will be available again this year through the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging. But, unfortunately, the amount of assistance will be reduced by half due to a reduced legislative appropriation for the program.

Under the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, residents 60 and older who meet income eligibility guidelines receive vouchers to purchase fresh produce from state-approved vendors at farmers markets. More than 1,000 farms statewide participate in the program. The vouchers may be used only for produce rather than for processed foods, such as jams or baked goods, that also are sold at the markets.

In recent years, older residents and people enrolled in WIC – the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – were eligible to receive five $10 vouchers each for use at farmers markets. This year, according to the state Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Food Assistance, eligible seniors will receive up to five vouchers for $5 each, for a total of $25. The WIC piece of the program will offer eligible individuals up to three vouchers for $10 each, a total of $30.

In 2024, the Department of Agriculture reported that older residents in Lackawanna County redeemed the vouchers at a higher rate than their peers in any other Pennsylvania county. They redeemed 32,875 of the 36,500 vouchers that were issued through the county Area Agency on Aging, a redemption rate of 90.4%. That accounted for $328,750 in farm market sales by participating farmers.

Vouchers will be available in May. Income eligibility, per number of household residents: one, $27,861; two, $37,814; three, $47,767; four, $57,720.

More information on the program is available from the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Assistance, 800-468-2433, Farmers Market Nutrition Programs | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.