Coupons available for produce in Stanly County

Stanly County Senior Services is accepting applications for the North Carolina Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

The program provides low-income older adults with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at local farmers markets.

The program is designed to improve the nutrition of older adults and increase business for local farmers.

Self-declared low-income older adults participating in the SFMNP program counties can get coupons.

It is limited to a household of one whose income is $2,322 or less per month or a household of two whose income is $3,125 or less per month.

Applications will be available at senior nutrition sites for seniors who currently receive meals, at the Stanly County Senior Center, 283 N. 3rd St., Albemarle, and at the Stanly Commons Farmers Market, 1000 N. 1st St., Albemarle, during market hours.

Applications are due by June 21 to the senior nutrition site or the Stanly County Senior Center. Stanly Commons Farmers Market is not an application drop off point.

Vouchers will be distributed beginning June 27.

For seniors who receive meals at a senior nutrition site, they will be available with the June 27 lunch. For seniors who do not receive meals at a site, vouchers will be available for at Stanly County Senior Center beginning June 27.

Each coupon is valued at $5 and 10 are given to each eligible participant, for a total of $50 worth of coupons. These coupons can be used July 1 through Sept. 30. Additional coupons may be distributed to additional participants later in the growing season if funds are available. Lost or stolen coupons cannot be replaced.

Change cannot be given if a participant buys less than the $5 increments of produce. However, if a participant purchases an amount in excess of the value of the coupon(s), he/she may pay the difference to the farmer.

Program posters will be displayed at the stands of participating farmers who accept the coupons. Programs are encouraged to offer “field trips” for participants to the local farmers’ market.

Participating markets include the Stanly Commons Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, and the Stanly County Farmers Market, 501 W. Main St., Albemarle, 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday and Saturday.

Coupons may be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, raw honey and fresh herbs. They can’t be used for baked goods, crafts, cooked foods, eggs, plants or other non-food items.

For more information on the program, call Joy Richardson at 704-986-3773.

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