Knox County’s farmers' market is proving vital to helping area seniors with nutritional needs, according to local two agriculture educators.
Sabrina K. Schirtzinger, extension educator, agriculture and natural resources with The Ohio State University Extension – Knox County and Senior Certified Executive Chef Paul Higgins recently gave a presentation on the meal programs at Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
“You can tell they are very passionate about this program and their community,” Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. wrote in a Facebook post. “It was a joy to listen to them speak. Again, we thank you for everything and for your partnership with us on this wonderful program.”
Schirtzinger said that the programs are intended to also help local farmers and the economy.
“Agriculture is Knox County with a total 194,445 acres of land for farming,” Schirtzinger said. “We have 173 individuals participating in the farm market program, and that is 100 more than we had last year.”
Schirtzinger added that the county also ranks No. 1 in Ohio for sheep, goat and wool production.
Higgins serves the senior dining community though a hands-on and field research series with the help of Kenyon students. His goal is to understand and define the dining habits of the aging population, who develop new preferences for food preparation.
Higgins is developing a program in partnership with OSU Extension and the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults named “Seniors Eat Fresh, Eat Local" to make fresh, local produce more accessible to area seniors through farmers' market vouchers.
Schirtzinger said the Mount Vernon Farmers' Market has been the recipient of donations from a federal program for the past two years.
incentive programs help drive the success that the Mount Vernon Farmers' Market programs offer to the region.
“Individuals are able to use their SNAP (EBT, Ohio Direction Card) benefits, produce perks which match your SNAP benefits up to $20,” she said.
Schirtzinger said the main reason the program is thriving is support from local community programs and government.
The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables in conjunction with WIC vouchers and the Senior Eat Fresh, Eat Local Tokens, Schirtzinger said.
“The community support and partnerships help drive the success of the programs at the Mount Vernon Farmers' Market,” Schirtzinger added. “We rank fifth within the state in redemption and distribution.”
