Lower-income seniors can get cash for farmers markets
Lower-income seniors in Fairfax County can now apply for $50 worth of checks that can be used at farmers markets.
The Senior Farmers Market Program enables older adults to access fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs at eligible farmers markets. That includes the Annandale Farmers Market at Mason District Park, the Wakefield Farmers Market at Wakefield Park in Annandale, the FreshFarm market at Mosaic, and many others.
The program is open to Fairfax County residents who are at least 60 years old, have a valid mailing address, and have a monthly income below $2,249 for a one-person household or $3,041 for a two-person household.
Applications are due Sept. 30. Apply online here. The checks must be used by the end of November.
The program is funded by Virginia’s Office for Aging Services and is managed by FreshFarm.
Participants will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Participants who live alone will receive a booklet with 10 $5 checks for a total of $50. A two-person household will receive two booklets with 10 $5 checks.
The Wakefield market is open every Wednesday, 2-6 p.m., through Oct. 25. The Annandale market is open on Thursdays, 8 a.m.-noon, through Nov. 2.
The market at Mosaic in Merrifield is held on Sundays year-round. It’s open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the summer and fall.
One response to “Lower-income seniors can get cash for farmers markets”
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People who receive SNAP benefits can expand their buying power at farmers markets. Any SNAP beneficiaries, not just seniors, can stop at a table near the entrance of the market on Thursdays at Mason District, have this explained and receive tokens used as cash. This is at other farmers markets too. The program got its name from the legislator who fought for the program. It is called Gus NIP.