TRENTON — New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus, Yvette Jackson, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, and Sen. Loretta Weinberg July 17 announced additional funding this year for a program that promotes consumption of Jersey Fresh fruits, vegetables and other local products for senior citizens.
The federal Farm Bill authorized an additional $500,000 for the Garden State to provide low-income seniors withfour $5 checks, valid through Nov. 30, to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture pro-grams.
Local seniors interested in the program should contact the Cape May County Department of Aging, 4005 Route 9 South at (609) 886-2784.
“For some seniors on fixed incomes, buying fresh fruits and vegetables is not a possibility and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives them an opportunity to get New Jer-sey’s bounty directly from the farmer right in their own communities,” said Kuperus.
“This extra funding for the program will help a great many more people improve their di-ets as well as support our state’s hard-working farmers.”
Total funding for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program in New Jersey, adminis-tered locally by the Department of Health and Senior Services, and funded through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, is now $1,171,273 for 2008 with the additional money.
“We are very proud of New Jersey’s success with this program that benefits eligible sen-iors and the farming community, with the goal of improving the health and well-being of its citizens,” said Regional Administrator Jackson.
In 2007, 129,000 senior checks were redeemed through the Senior Farmers Market Nu-trition Program. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services estimates the additional funding for this year could benefit more than 20,000 more people than last year. About a million seniors qualify for the program.
“Only one-third of seniors eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. And with food costs on the rise, eating right is becoming even more difficult for older people on low, fixed incomes,” said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard. “Through this program, thousands more seniors across the state will be able eat nutritious, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.”
“What a way to be a winner- fresh farm produce tastes great and it’s good for you,” said Senator Weinberg, who is a Teaneck resident. “Right here in Teaneck, our seniors can en-joy the fresh fruit and vegetables and those on a lower income can learn about the new sen-ior nutrition coupons.”
Also participating in today’s event today was Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle.
“Our agricultural industry is a thriving natural resource that has helped grow the Garden State,” said Huttle.
“We must protect it and nurture it even as it nurtures each and every one of us. On be-half of those seniors who will enjoy the benefits of our Farmer’s Market program, we offer our gratitude to the federal government for their support.”
Farmers markets provide residents with access to fresher, better tasting produce with less travel. The farmers then benefit from increased marketing opportunities while providing residents with healthy food choices.
For more information on the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/prog/wic.html.
The WIC & Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) provide locally grown unprepared fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs to nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breast-feeding, or post-partum women, children 2-5 years old as well as eligible seniors 60 years of age and older.
The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Sen-ior Services, administers the programs. Local farmers are recruited and trained to be Certi-fied Farmer Vendors in the WIC & Seniors FMNP. These farmers benefit from the programs by direct marketing their locally grown fresh produce to eligible participants at their roadside stands and community farmers market across the state.
FMNP checks are distributed through local WIC Agencies and County Offices on Aging. Participants in the FMNP are given lists of Certified Farmers Vendors and community farm-ers markets when they receive their checks/vouchers. Each eligible participant receives four $5 checks/vouchers that are redeemed for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grown by local farmers. The checks/vouchers are valid beginning June 1st through November 30th.
To participate in the WIC & Seniors FMNP, you must receive face-to-face training, com-plete a two-page application and sign an agreement. The New Jersey Departments of Agri-culture and Health and Senior Services administer the registration process.
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