Seniors Now Eligible For Free Farmers Market Checkbooks

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Qualifying New Rochelle residents over the age of 60 now 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 now distributing “checkbooks” that can be used at participating farmers markets. Each checkbook has a value of $20 and individual checks are worth $4.00 each.

To be eligible, recipients must be 60 years old or above and have a monthly income at or below $1,987 per month for a single person, $2,687 for a two-person household or $3,386 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 $4, 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 eligible New Rochelle seniors beginning August 3, at the Hugh Doyle Senior Center, located at 94 Davis Ave. The times of distribution will be 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Applicants must wear a face mask. Proof of age and residency are required. Applicants must come in person to sign the statement of eligibility. Each older adult in a household is eligible to receive a booklet if they meet the age and income requirements.

The coupons are valid at any participating New York State Farmers Market. In New Rochelle, the checkbooks can be used at the Paine Cottage farmers market on Fridays.

The Senior Farmers Market Program is funded through the Food and Nutrition Service division of the United States Department of Agriculture and Markets in cooperation with the NY State Office for the Aging, 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.