Latest news with #SeniorFarmersMarketNutritionProgram
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dauphin County offering seniors farmers market vouchers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)– Seniors in Dauphin County may be eligible for $25 vouchers to use at local farmers' markets. According to the Dauphin County Chief Clerk's Office, the County Commissioners, the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are accepting applications for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The county says vouchers come in the form of $5 vouchers. Changes cannot be provided when vouchers are used. Dauphin County says applicants must be 60 years old or older, with an annual income at or below $28,953.00 for a single-person household or $39,128.00 for a two-person household. Pennsylvania lawmakers pass changes to Sunday hunting Vouchers will be mailed to eligible applicants and can be used for fruits and vegetables grown in Pennsylvania, excluding bananas, oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, and pineapples. Dauphin County said the vouchers cannot be used in grocery stores or for items such as honey, jam, nuts, cider, or baked goods. Items including corn on the cob, peppers, potatoes, green beans, carrots, and tomatoes are eligible. 'This program is really about connecting people, helping families, and older adults get fresh, local food while supporting the hardworking farmers right in our own communities,' said Benjamin D. Knox, Administrator of Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Interested parties can print out the application online and mail it to the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging, or email FMNP@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Free and Discounted Services You Didn't Know Were Available to Social Security Recipients
You've worked hard, you've earned your income, and now you're ready for life to be a bit easier. You're ready for the doors to open and the sun to shine as it should. Once you start collecting your Social Security check, you should be able to take it a little easier. Read More: Find Out: The good news is that many organizations agree with this. Several programs make food, transportation, and fun all free or cheap for Social Security recipients. Here are the top seven free or discounted programs that you may not have known were offered to Social Security recipients. There's something so wonderful about farmers' markets. You get to get outside, mingle with your community, and get fresh, delicious food. It's not all fruits and vegetables, either. You might find local honey, amazing baked goods, and even a great cup of coffee. The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program wants America's seniors to get out, move around, and get healthy food. That's why low-income seniors get discount cards that will ensure they can buy from farmers' markets, roadside stands, and local farms at significant discounts. All you have to do is sign up and get out there. See Next: But what if you can't get out there? It happens. It may be that you're not moving around as well as you used to. It might even be a temporary situation, just until you get in better shape. Fear not. Meals on Wheels is a program that will make sure you get the good food and nutrition you need while you're more housebound than usual. The organization delivers food to victims of natural disasters and seniors who struggle to leave their homes. Many social security recipients can't get to the grocery store, or even afford enough groceries to feed themselves as much as they need. Or, you might not be in a position to cook and prepare healthy food. You need to keep your energy and health up to par. That's where Meals on Wheels comes in. The food is hearty, healthy, and delivered with a smile. Still, even if you don't have your vehicle, you can still get out. That's thanks to the transportation services available to seniors and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center operates in all 50 states and ensures people without transportation, on social services, like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI, can still get to where they need or want to go. While many seniors and individuals with disabilities can use public transportation and receive discounts, others are unable to do so. It might be a case of living in a rural area, or you might be in a neighborhood without a close bus line. In any event, your community should offer a supplemental service like Dial-a-Ride, volunteer transportation, or assisted transportation. Federal grants fund these programs, so they're free to social security recipients. If you want to get out, you should be able to. Speaking of getting out, fitness is essential at every age and for every ability. It's good for your body and your brain, and it can even help improve symptoms of many disabilities and aid in healthier aging. And you can start a new fitness plan at any age. Many seniors realize they need to lift more weights and do more cardio once they retire. Social Security recipients on Medicare Advantage are eligible for a program called Silver Sneakers. This plan gets you access to thousands of gyms, churches, and other fitness programs across the country. And you can find a class or program that works for you. You'll find everything from yoga and swimming to Zumba or just plain old gym equipment on the gym floor. It's a pain to pay your taxes every year. Not only might you have to come up with cash to pay what you owe, but you also have to put your documents in order and pay a preparer. It's too much. Well, the federal government agrees with you. Thanks to the VITA program, you may qualify for free tax help. It is particularly aimed at: People with disabilities People making less than $65,000 People aged 60 or older Not only will you get free tax preparation, but you'll be able to trust that these services are reliable as they're certified through the IRS. Thinking of going back to school? Why not? Many seniors start a whole new life after retirement, and it can often begin with a few community college courses. Every state in the United States has universities and community colleges that offer free or steeply discounted courses to senior citizens. You might explore a subject you've always been fascinated by, or you could go back to school to build on your existing education. One of the greatest advantages of being older is the wisdom you get from life experiences. Building on that wisdom with an academic education can only be a win. But academic education is not the only kind. The arts are, after all, what keep humans … well … human. And the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) feels the same way. That's why the NEA offers free access to thousands of museums across the country for seniors and people with disabilities. And if you don't feel like exploring beauty inside, you can always take advantage of the National Parks' offer to explore one of the many natural beauties around the country. The National Park Service offers free passes to Social Security recipients, so you can spend your golden years chasing some of the country's most magnificent waterfalls for free. More From GOBankingRates How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? This article originally appeared on 7 Free and Discounted Services You Didn't Know Were Available to Social Security Recipients
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Senior farmers market voucher distributions cancelled
(WBRE/WYOU) — According to the Area Agency on Aging, the first two Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) voucher distribution events have been cancelled. The announcement comes because the agency has not yet received the vouchers. It was previously revealed that federal funding for the vouchers has been cut. The first two Luzerne/Wyoming County distribution events have been cancelled, including the June 3 event at Misericordia University's MacDowell Hall and the June 5 Kingston Active Adult Center. Woman shot by police while allegedly attacking civilian In Lackawanna County alone, 38,000 farmers market vouchers were requested by the county's agency on aging, the agency in charge of distributing them. Due to the cuts to federal spending, they'll only be getting around 29,000. Under the State Department of Agriculture program, residents over 60 who fall within the program's income requirements are eligible to receive up to five $5 vouchers each to spend at local farmers' markets. For the full list of voucher distribution dates, visit the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Looking for local produce and fun this summer? North End Farmers Market is back
The North End Farmers Market will open for the season on June 12. According to an announcement from the North End Community Improvement Collaborative, the market will take place every Thursday through Sept. 25 at the NECIC Urban Farm, 311 Bowman St. in Mansfield. The market will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each week, rain or shine. This year, visitors can expect a mix of returning and new vendors offering locally grown produce, homemade goods, handcrafted items, food trucks and family-friendly activities. The North End Farmers Market aims to be accessible and inclusive for residents of all income levels. It accepts various payment methods, including cash, credit and debit cards, SNAP, WIC and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. For the latest information on accepted programs and matching benefits, contact Tionna Perdue, NECIC operations manager, at 419-522-1611 or tionna@ Those interested in becoming a vendor, food truck or community information table participant can apply online at the NECIC website. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: North End Farmers Market opens June 12 - here's what's in store
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RI distributing 5,000 farmers market cards to seniors
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A food assistance program that helps connect local farmers with Rhode Island seniors is returning this summer. The R.I. Department of Environmental Management's (DEM) Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will give out 5,000 benefit cards to eligible residents. The cards can be used at local farm stands and farmers markets to buy fruits, vegetables and honey. Less than a third of seniors in the United States eat their recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. The benefit cards will be preloaded with $50 and distributed at 90 senior sites starting on June 1. The cards will be valid through Nov. 30. The DEM is also partnering with Farm Fresh Rhode Island to deliver produce boxes to homebound seniors. Eligible seniors can apply for the program at their local senior center. You can find a sign-up location near you by clicking here. Any organizations that work with seniors and would like to get involved with the program can email Farmers and businesses interested in accepting SFMNP can sign up here. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
