MOUNT VERNON – Knox County has awarded the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults a $25,000 grant for its farmers market program, Task Force President Meredith Lowther told the Mount Vernon News.
The task force kept the farmers market going last summer despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Lowther said, noting the advantage of it being outside.
“We had a good turnout last summer,” she said. “It was very popular, and I expect it to be even more popular this year.”
Vendors sell their fruits and vegetables at the farmers market on the Mount Vernon Public Square. Knox County residents 60 and older can obtain coins that they can use to buy those products at the market.
“It’s not based on income,” Lowther said of the voucher program. “You do have to come to the farmers market to get the coins.”
The farmers market runs from May through the end of October.
Later this year, the task force is planning to resume its resource fair for seniors.
“It’s an informational fair to let people know what’s available in our area,” Lowther said. “We were not able to do that last year because of COVID-19, which was disappointing. But we are planning on doing it this year, even if we have to hold it outside. We will figure out something.”
In addition to her position with the task force, Lowther is also the director of Station Break, a senior center.
The center has been closed since last year since because of COVID-19 but is still delivering services such as meals for seniors. Some seniors stop by to pick up to-go meals.
“I would say 75% of them have been vaccinated for COVID-19,” Lowther said. “They are asking me, ‘When are you opening?’ They are ready to get back and resume their daily lives.”
Lowther is not yet certain when Station Break will reopen.
“We’re waiting on the governor’s orders to determine that,” she said.
Seniors love the social interaction at the center, Lowther added.
“We’ve actually had marriages here too,” she said. “You can be 80 years old and still find the love of your life.”
