The annual produce vouchers for low-income county residents 60 years and older are available as of July 1 on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. For the safety of participants, vouchers will again be distributed by mail this year.
The vouchers, distributed by the Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services, allow recipients to purchase locally grown fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs at participating farm markets through November.
The state requires the county to target low-income senior citizens for participation. Individuals must reside in Atlantic County, be 60 years or older with an annual gross income that does not exceed $1,986 a month or $23,828 annually for one person or $2,686 a month or $32,227 annually for a married couple.
Interested residents may call the county's information and assistance hotline at 1-888-426-9243 to request vouchers.
If all requirements are met, vouchers, guidelines and a list of participating farm markets will be mailed to the verified address. Vouchers may only be used by the person to whom they were provided. Lost or stolen vouchers cannot be replaced.
Eligible participants will receive five, $6 vouchers per person, for a total of $30. They may spend one voucher at a time, but will not receive change if they do not use the whole value of a voucher.
Due to variables such as weather, availability of produce and farm market hours of operation, it may be advisable to use vouchers before the end of October.
A list of participating farmers' markets is available at: www.atlantic-county.org/intergenerational-services/produce-voucher-program.asp
