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News Release 1-5-2001 |
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SENIOR CITIZENS WILL RECEIVE WEST VIRGINIA FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THROUGH NEW SENIORS FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PILOT PROGRAM CHARLESTON, W.VA. — As a result of a grant submitted by Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) to the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), senior citizens in the Mountain State who have an income of less than 185% of the poverty level will be able to redeem coupons at farmers' markets for fresh fruit and produce. The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program will be administered in two phases. The first phase will deliver a bag of West Virginia grown apples to the 10,000 seniors who now participate in the Title III-C Home Delivery Food Program through county senior centers. The second phase of the program will begin in June and will allow seniors who live in an eleven-county area the opportunity to apply for redeemable coupons. In order to qualify for this program, the applicant must be more than 60 years of age and have an income of less than 185% of the poverty level. Commissioner Douglass believes this program will be a great benefit to both low-income seniors and to West Virginia's farmers. "With help from U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia is receiving a large portion of this federal funding. The Program is designed to help our seniors while also providing a secondary revenuesource for West Virginia's farmers who grow fruits and vegetables. I hope every individual who can qualify will apply for this important Program." The eleven counties which qualified for the second phase of the program are Cabell, Grant, Kanawha, Logan, Marion, Mason, Mineral, Ohio, Pendleton, Randolph and Upshur Counties. The farmers' markets in these counties are also participants in the Women Infants & Children's (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. Information regarding application procedures for the eleven-county area will be developed in late spring. For more information about the WVDA, contact Bill Bissett, 304/558-3708. |
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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