Coupons for fresh produce available for seniors
A local nonprofit is taking applications for a program that provides low-income seniors with fresh produce from Maui farmers markets.
The 2022 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program offers each participant 10 $5 coupons, worth a total of $50, to exchange for unprocessed locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from an authorized farmer or farmers market.
The buying period runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, according to a news release from Maui Economic Opportunity, which administers the program on Maui island.
To qualify, an applicant must be at least 60 years old, a resident of Maui island and have a maximum household income of $28,916 for a single person, $38,961 for two people and $10,045 for each additional household member, including children.
Seniors may use their coupons at authorized outlets, which will have a sign indicating they accept coupons from the program. There will be no cash change, and seniors are urged to spend as much of each $5 coupon as possible. Proxies may be designated for purchases by filling out a form.
Schedules and locations of farmers markets and outlets will be included with the coupon booklet.
Fillable applications are available on the MEO website main page at meoinc.org. They also may be obtained by calling (808) 243-4313 or by emailing zilpah.kaimiola@ meoinc.org.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The goal of the program is to help low-income seniors improve their health and nutrition with fresh food while also aiding local farmers. The 2021 program assisted more than 1,300 seniors and worked with about 15 farmers and markets infusing about $65,000 into the agricultural economy, MEO said.