Farmers Market Checkbooks Now Available For New Rochelle Seniors

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Qualifying New Rochelle residents over the age of 60 have a convenient way to increase the farm fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets without growing their grocery budgets.

The Farmers Market Senior Nutrition Program is once again distributing "checkbooks" that can be used at participating farmers markets. Each checkbook has a value of $25 and individual checks are worth $5.00 each.

To be eligible, recipients must be 60 years old or above and have a monthly income at or below $2,096 per month for a single person, $2,823 for a two-person household or $3,551 for a three-person household.

Eligible seniors are asked to participate only if they are planning to use the coupons at the participating markets. Farmers will not give change (if a purchase is less than $5, farmers will instead add additional items).

According to organizers, the purpose of the Senior Farmers Market Program is to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from farmers markets and community-supported agriculture programs to low-income seniors and to increase the consumption of locally grown food by expanding farmers markets and community-supported agriculture programs.

The checkbooks will be distributed to qualifying seniors, on a first-come first-served basis, as long as supplies last at the Hugh Doyle Senior Center, located at 94 Davis Ave. New this year, the times of distribution will be from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Applicants are required to wear a face mask and bring their own pen. Proof of age and residency will be required. All applicants must come in person to sign the statement of eligibility. A Power of Attorney must provide proof. Every older adult in a household is eligible to receive a booklet if they meet age and income requirements.

The coupons are valid at any participating NYS Farmers Market, including the Down to Earth Farmers Market at Thomas Paine Cottage every Friday (8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until they sellout).

The Seniors Farmers Market program is funded by the Food and Nutrition Service division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Markets, in collaboration with the NYS Office for the Aging, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.

For more information on the Farmers Market Coupons, contact the Hugh Doyle Senior Center at 914-235-2363.