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News Release 6-1-2002 |
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SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET PROGRAM RESTORED The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program has been restored in the Mountain State, thanks to last-minute funding added to the federal Farm Bill. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in March that West Virginia would not receive funding for the Program, which provides senior citizens with vouchers that can be redeemed at farmers’ markets across the state for fresh, wholesome produce. “I’m very pleased that this program has been brought back to life,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “West Virginia has the oldest population in the nation, overall, and many of those seniors live on fixed incomes. Now many of them will again be able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetable, while increasing demand for West Virginia-grown crops.” West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will receive $630,000 for the Program this year, which will allow approximately 30,000 seniors to receive $20 worth of vouchers, said WVDA Director of Marketing and Development Jean Smith. “We’re sorry there’s not as much money available as there was last year, but we’re very happy we’ll be getting some funding,” she said. “We felt the first year of the Program was very successful, and were very disappointed when we heard it would be cut.” Smith added that the Title 3C Apple Program is funded, and that distribution of West Virginia apples will begin in the fall in all 55 counties. As was the case last year, not all counties will be able to participate in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. The 29 counties eligible for this year’s program include: Barbour, Berkeley, Brooke, Cabell, Clay, Grant, Hancock, Hardy, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mineral, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Roane, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne and Wetzel Interested persons should contact their local senior center for information on how to register. WVDA oversees the management of four markets located in Charleston, Logan, Weston and Inwood, and supports nearly two dozen independent markets with its “West Virginia Grown” and other promotional programs. A complete list of these markets can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/states/wvirgini.htm. For more information about the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, contact the WVDA’s Marketing and Development Division, 304/558-2210.
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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