By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
This summer, Madison County Office for the Aging (OFA) will distribute farmers’ market coupons to seniors at drive-thru sites in five municipalities.
A distribution site will be set up in Cazenovia on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon. at Sean Googin Field, 2350 Fenner Rd.
The $20 coupon books are available for Madison County residents ages 60 or older with monthly incomes at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level: $1,967/one person household and $2,658/two-person household.
“The purpose of this program is to promote local farmers by expanding their sales at farmers’ markets and farm stands, and to foster healthy communities through the consumption of locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Madison County OFA Executive Director Julie Harney.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, coupon recipients are asks to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Everyone in the vehicle must wear a face mask.
- Remain in your vehicle. An OFA staff person will bring paperwork to each vehicle’s window.
- Bring your own pen.
- Be patient, as the lines may be long, but wait times should be short.
- One $20 coupon booklet will be given to each eligible senior.
- Eligible seniors must sign up in person.
Distribution sites will also be available in Hamilton (July 27), Georgetown (July 28), Oneida (July 29) and Canastota (Aug. 5).
“The distribution sites were chosen mainly to reach both the north and south end of the county,” Harney said. “We tried to keep sites familiar to the local populations we were serving and also [give] consideration to ease of access. Those we reached out to for site access were extremely easy to work with and we are thankful for their allowing us the opportunity to use their property for our distribution.”
The OFA is also distributing to all senior housing facilities in Madison County.
According to Harney, the coupons are distributed each summer and are valid until the outdoor markets close sometime in November.
“NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets collaborates with the NYS Department of Health, the NYS Office for the Aging, and Cornell Cooperative Extension in administering the [Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)],” said Harney.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, which administers the program, over 8000,000 seniors receive SFMNP benefits each year.
Established in 1977, Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc is a non-profit agency funded by the US Administration of Aging, the NYS Office for the Aging, the Madison County Board of Supervisors, and local contributions.
“[Our] mission is to advocate, assist and provide services that enrich the quality of life and promote the independence and dignity of older individuals and their families,” said Harney.
Additional information on the Madison County OFA is available at ofamadco.org/home.aspx.
To learn more about the SFMNP, visit fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program.
For more information on coupon distribution and an updated list of drive-thru sites, call 315-697-5700.
