Another Successful Season for the Senior Farmers Market Program!

Tamsen Spengler, ADS Program Specialist

The sights and scents at local Farmers Markets tempt the senses!

As the weather turns cooler, many of King County’s seniors can look back on this summer as one in which they were able to enjoy the bounty of summer produce. Through the Senior Farmer’s Market Program, over 4,000 low-income older adults received vouchers which they redeemed at area farmers markets to purchase fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables. 

Since 2001, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) has provided fresh, locally grown produce to low-income seniors to improve their nutritional status and to support local Washington farmers. The program is a win-win for both participants and farmers. Many seniors would not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables without the program, and the SFMNP helps local farmers by expanding their customer base and increasing sales at farmers markets.

Program benefits include:

• Improves the health and nutritional status of low-income seniors by increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.
• Reduces hunger in low income seniors by providing up to $40 in food assistance.
• Supports small farmers and rural economies through the promotion of Washington State Agriculture
• Preserves farmland and reduces energy usage and pollutants.

Manuel Jimenez, Kyoko Anderson and Chiyo Yamada spending their vouchers with Manuel Jimenez, a local farmer vendor who is favored by residents of the Kawabe Memorial House for his patience and welcoming personality. Manuel states, "I enjoy having the elderly come down here. I like their smiling faces and they really appreciate being able to purchase the produce. I even like it when they haggle with me over prices." ____________________________

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), State of Washington funds, and some local area funds. This summer in King County, each eligible participant received $40 in vouchers to spend at over 33 farmers markets. Program materials were translated into 9 languages in order to make the program more accessible for many immigrant and refugee elders.

In addition to the vouchers, the SFMNP provided delivery of produce to low-income elderly who were unable to leave their homes. Through July and August, participants received a weekly selection of fresh fruits and vegetables and a newsletter with tips on how to prepare nutritious meals.

The response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive, from the farmers who love seeing the seniors at the markets to the seniors themselves, who love the "homegrown" fruits and vegetables that remind them of the old days.

Demand for the program is always greater than the number of vouchers available. To ensure that access to the program was fair, this year’s recipients were selected through a random drawing of mail-in applications. This process was made possible by the generous contributions of volunteers who helped with data entry, envelope stuffing, and other related tasks.

Participants and Farmers Share Their Appreciation

Vendor Angela Bratt tempts Herb Camet, Jr. with fresh raspberries from her organic farm that has been providing produce to the farmers markets for 33 years. Herb explained how important the program is to him. "I really appreciate the vouchers, as I am a vegetarian.  Access to this sort of food is of particular importance to me as a mainstay of my diet during these times of my medical disability.  I find these produce vouchers to be an essential supplement to my daily diet. I also want to express my appreciation for the assistance from Aging and Disability Services as arranged by Mr. Tom Warner during the past nine months of my medical disability."

Kawabe’s Activities Coordinator Rieko Rosenquist (at right, with Kyoko Anderson and Chiyo Yamada) at the Market. Reiko tells us, "Our clients enjoy the vouchers a lot. For them, shopping is not just getting groceries, but interacting with people, socializing, stimulating their lives, finding themselves still healthy and valuable, and it's an adventure for them. I hope more seniors can get this opportunity and the city will give them more coupons next year."

Many of the voucher recipients tell stories of how important the experience of going to the market is to them and how it brings back happy memories. Jacquie Willette (right) described her recent visit:

"It had been a long time since I'd gone to the farmers market. I was thrilled to have coupons which I had received from Aging and Disability, but a little apprehensive as to how they would be received.  There were small signs above a number of booths welcoming coupon bearers.

The first stand I came to was that of an older couple from Wenatchee. I sampled an apricot somewhat bigger than a large marble. It was incredibly sweet. When I asked if they were organic, the owner with a sparkle in his blue eyes told me, "These apricots are raised organically and have been picked by only myself and my wife."  I remembered my family’s garden, where as a child, my family and I plucked the fruits of our labors.

I loved the colorful crowds, the shade, and the variety of stands. I bought the most exquisite and freshest bags of greens, kale, arugula and many others. Having 15 cents in change, I received some beautiful fresh onions with a generous smile from the young woman in charge.

People were very nice about my walker, which takes up a lot of room, so I got to sample home crafted goat cheese, and bought a small amount from my own money—only produce can be bought with coupons. I still have more coupons and a lovely memory of the beautiful day and the fruits of summer."