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Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program—Applications Available Soon!

photo from a local farmers market shows fresh produce and a sign for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program described in this article

In April, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) will open the application process for the popular 2018 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program allows older low-income residents to apply for $40 “checks” that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers markets throughout King County.

Qualified applicants are age 60 or older (age 55 or older if American Indian/Alaska Native) with lower incomes who may live anywhere in King County. Specifically, older residents with incomes below 185 percent of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are encouraged to apply. In real terms, that means someone who meets the age requirement must have a monthly income at or below $1,872 if he or she lives alone or $2,538 for a household of two. For larger households, the FPL formula adds $666 per month per person.

“We care about the health and quality of life of older adults,” said HSD director Catherine Lester. HSD’s Aging and Disability Services division administers the farmers market nutrition program throughout King County.

Read more of this story in the March issue of AgeWise King County (click here) …