Dauphin County offers farmers market vouchers to qualified senior citizens through state Department of Agriculture program

HARRISBURG, PA (May 29, 2019) – Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III and the county’s Area Agency on Aging will offer vouchers worth $20 to income-eligible adults age 60 and over to purchase locally grown produce as part of the state Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

“This program helps older residents in need to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and encourages healthy eating,” said Hartwick, who oversees the county’s Area Agency on Aging. “We’re pleased to once again partner with the state to offer this program to residents.”

Dauphin County residents are eligible if they meet the age requirement and the following 2019 federal income guidelines:

# In Household

Household Income Eligibility

1

$23,107.00

2

$31,284.00

3

$39,461.00

4

$47,638.00

5

$55,815.00

6

$63,992.00

 

Note: Household income means income before any deductions, such as income or Social Security taxes, insurance premiums, charitable contributions, etc.

Senior citizens are advised to bring a driver’s license or photo identification for proof of age and Dauphin County residency.

Eligible senior citizens may only receive vouchers once each summer. Supplies are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Senior citizens who live in nursing homes or residential facilities where meals are provided are not eligible for this program. 

To obtain vouchers for another person, please bring a completed and signed proxy form to receive the vouchers. Proxy forms can be obtained by calling the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging at 717-780-6130.

Vouchers will be distributed at the following sites in Dauphin County:

  • Monday, June 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Zion Assembly of Harrisburg, 2101 N. 5th St., 5th and Maclay streets, Harrisburg
  • Wednesday, June 5 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at B’nai B’rith, 130 S. 3rd St., Harrisburg
  • Friday, June 7 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Northern Dauphin Human Services Center, 295 State Dr., Elizabethville (Any remaining vouchers for this site will be available at this location from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays.)
  • Monday, June 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Pheasant Hill Estates, 4400 Pheasant Hill Rd., Harrisburg

“This program not only benefits older residents but also local farmers and our agricultural industry,” said Haste.

 Contact Dauphin County’s Area Agency on Aging at 717-780-6130 to learn more about the program.

 “Sadly, many older adults, especially those on fixed incomes, struggle with hunger,” said Pries. “This partnership with the state helps senior citizens stock up on fresh, healthy foods.”