Seniors may qualify for free farmers' market produce

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

— Qualifying seniors can now receive coupons to exchange for locally grown produce offered at the Gentry Farmers Market.

The Office of Human Concern and members of the Northwest Arkansas Farmers’ Market Alliance are launching the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program inNorthwest Arkansas.

This program is funded through the Arkansas Department of Aging and Adult Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funds connect area seniors (60+), living in Benton, Carroll, Madison or Washington Counties and meeting the income requirements (185 percent poverty), to $50.00 in coupons to exchange for farm-freshproduce grown in Northwest Arkansas.

This is the first year this valuable program is available in the Gentry area.

Eligible seniors may sign up Saturday and receive coupons at one of three farmers’ markets: Rogers, 8-11 a.m.: Bentonville, 8-11 a.m.; and in Gentry, 2-4 p.m.

Additional communities will host sign-upevents throughout May. Applicants need only bring a photo identification and take five minutes to fill out the application.

The Gentry Farmers Market is held at the Main Street Pavilion, next door to the Chicken Coop Flea Market.

Those with questions regarding the program may call Leslie Olson at 479-721-8976.

News, Pages 3 on 05/05/2010