SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Board of Commissioners, in cooperation with the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, is pleased to announce the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
The program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, is offering eligible senior citizens who reside in Northumberland County an opportunity to obtain $20 in vouchers to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from participating farm markets.
Northumberland County residents who are age 60 or older, (including those who will reach their 60th birthday by Dec. 31, 2011); and who meet the gross income guidelines may apply. All income must be taken into consideration, which includes Social Security, Black Lung, SSI and all pensions.
The official income guidelines for this year's program are as follows: $20,147 for a single person, $27,214 for a couple, $34,281 for three people and $41,348 for four people.
Proof of age/residency is necessary, and proof of income is self-declared. Senior citizens must sign the designated register when they receive the vouchers and eligible senior citizens may receive the vouchers only once per calendar year. Proxy forms are available for home bound consumers. The proxy form must be signed by the consumer requesting vouchers and also by the person (who is the proxy) delivering the vouchers. The form is then returned to the Senior Action Center before vouchers will be distributed.
Vouchers will be distributed by the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging on a first-come basis until Sept. 30 or until the supply is exhausted. Vouchers are redeemable until Nov. 30.
The vouchers are now available daily, at all 11 Northumberland County Senior Action Centers from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. contact a local senior action center for more information.