With the arrival of spring, after a long winter, comes the annual distribution of the Farmers’ Market Vouchers.
Distribution will be held at the Office of Aging on Monday, June 3. The Centre County Office of Aging has a set amount of checks available; this is a first come, first serve program.
Eligibility guidelines are by both age and income. Individuals who will be 60 by December 31, 2018 must also meet the financial guidelines; $23,107 per individual and $31,284 for 2 people. Income is self-declared; no documentation is needed, but requires a signature on the Federal form verifying gross income guidelines are met.
Each eligible person receives four $5 checks for a total of $20 once each year. The checks are for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown in Pennsylvania. Checks must be spent at a participating vendor at a Farmers' Market. They can’t be spent in a grocery store. Farmer-Vendors can be identified by a bright green sign at their booths. If there isn't any signage, simply ask the farmer if they accept the checks. Lists of markets are available at the senior resource centers or at the Office of Aging.
Checks must be picked up in the county the person lives in but can be spent in any county in Pennsylvania. (Residents of Centre County must get their vouchers in Centre County but can spend them at any approved Farmers’ Market including Belleville, Lewisburg, etc.) The first day of use is June 1 and all must be used by November 30, 2019.
When picking up the Farmers’ Market checks at one of the following locations, please make sure to bring proof of residence in Centre County and age—a drivers' license, PA photo id, or PA Real ID. If you don't have one of these, please bring a birth certificate and a utility bill (with your local address).
Checks are available starting:
Monday, June 3, 8:30am to 5pm at the Centre County Office of Aging, 420 Holmes St. Room 245, Bellefonte. 355-6716.
At area Senior Resource Centers:
Early Distribution (busy schedules):
Tuesday, May 29, 8am -9:30am at the Snow Shoe Center in the Mountaintop Medical Center. Call 387-4086
Thursday, May 31, 9:30am-11:30am at the Bellefonte Center, 110 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. Phone 355-6720 Regular distribution:
Friday, June 1, 9:00am – 11:00am at the Active Adult Center at Nittany Mall (near Sears). Phone 231-3076
Friday, June 1, 12:30pm – 3:00pm at the Philipsburg Center, 300 N. Front Street, Philipsburg. Call 342-6549.
Tuesday, June 8, 8:30am-10:30am at the Centre Hall Center located in the Centre Hall Fire Hall. Phone 364-9511
Wednesday, June 13, 8am-9:30am at the Penns Valley Center, 102 Leisure Lane, Madisonburg (turn right at the Post Office) Dial 349-8188
If someone who is eligible isn't able to get to one of these sites to get the checks, there is a proxy form that must be used. A proxy form must be presented when picking up checks for another person. The proxy form must be signed by the senior participant (the eligible person) before checks can be issued. The proxy (the person picking up the checks) must also sign the form. The proxy forms can be picked up in advance at any senior center or at the Office of Aging.
T
hose who have received the vouchers in the past have shared how much they enjoy and appreciate being able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. “I buy apples late in the season and I am able to enjoy them all winter” or “When is Rhubarb in season” or “the corn they grow is so delicious” are comments made many times.
For more information, please call 355-6716 or email aging@centrecountypa.gov
Sandy Schuckers
Administrative Officer
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