MOUNT VERNON — Two nutritional programs for seniors tied to the Mount Vernon Farmers Market are doing well in doling out fresh fruits and vegetables, with one having so much demand that vouchers can disappear in as little as 10 minutes after the market opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
An update on the Senior Citizens Voucher Program for Farmers Market was provided Thursday to Knox County Commissioners by Paul Higgins and Curtis Farlee, representing the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults. The Senior Citizens Voucher Program is a local effort, providing $10 in vegetable and fruit vouchers to 20 seniors ages 60 and older who must reside in Knox County as the only requirements, they said. There is no income-based requirement, and seniors line up early for the program on the market day because it’s on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In June, the Farmers Market moved from the CA&C Railroad Depot back to Public Square and that has helped the market flourish among its customers, Higgins said. The Senior Citizens Voucher Program runs the entire length of Farmers Market season, which extends through September.
There is also a Seniors Citizens Voucher Program for Fredericktown, which is new and involves 10 vouchers valued at $5 each being given away for fresh fruit and vegetable purchases. Both programs are doing well and if well supported by community funding, have growth opportunities, Higgins said. The program runs a total of 19 weeks per year in Mount Vernon and 13 weeks in Fredericktown.
Funding for the Senior Citizens Voucher Program comes from multiple sources, the largest of which currently is the county commissioners, who have given $10,000 over two years. On Thursday, Commissioners Teresa Bemiller and Thom Collier permitted the program to access its second allocation of $5,000. Other funding sources include Interchurch, Women United, Food for the Hungry, Ohio Eastern Star and The Laurels of Mount Vernon. The program also ties in with Senior Day at the Knox County Fair and the Task Force for Older Adults Resource Day. Farlee said there are also promotional costs associated with the program.
“This is one program we are really behind,” Bemiller said, offering that it is unfortunate to hear some seniors have turned away from the table at Farmers Market because the 20 vouchers are given out so quickly.
Collier agreed, saying he hopes the Senior Citizens Voucher Program for the Farmers Market will offer an example for the community. Knox County has a population of about 61,000, according to the 2010 Census, and 16.2 percent of that is comprised of seniors ages 60 and up, Higgins said.
“And that population is growing,” he said.
There is also another popular offering for seniors ages 60 and up involving the Farmers Market, this one is the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. It is a state program offered through the Ohio Department of Aging, and requires participants to complete an application that includes income qualifications. Participants receive $50 worth of coupons for the growing season. One senior living in a household can earn up to $23,107 to qualify, with two seniors having a household income of up to $31,284.
In action taken Thursday, commissioners:
• Opened two bids for the county’s annual Resurfacing Project, with Small’s Asphalt Paving, Inc., offering a base bid of $506,793.75 with an alternate bid of $163,852.35; and Mid-Ohio Paving, Inc. offering a base bid of $632,914.92 and an alternate bid of $223,773.56. The engineer’s estimate was $577,906. Bids will be evaluated to meet specifications before the official award is made.
• Approved the Online Dog Licensing System Renewal Agreement with Fairfield Computer Services, LLC.
• Approved an agreement for copiers for Knox County 911 with MT Business Technologies and US Bank Equipment.
