4-1-2005 |
|
|
POTENTIAL VENDORS URGED TO SIGN UP FOR SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM Any vendor planning to participate in the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) this summer needs to contact the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's (WVDA) Marketing and Development Division to apply for a vendor number and schedule training on how to properly administer the program. "This is an extremely popular program and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate," said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass . "The first step is to get vendors trained to take the coupons." As in past years, qualifying senior citizens will be provided $20 worth of coupons in $2 increments to be spent at participating farmers' markets or farm stands, according to Jean Smith, Director of WVDA's Marketing and Development Division. "This is not time for the senior citizens to apply for the program; we are only interested in getting the vendors registered at this time," said Smith. "We'll be distributing instructions on how to get coupon books toward the end of May. Participating vendors must stock 35 percent West Virginia-grown produce and are not allowed to give change back from the coupons. To register, or for more information, call the Marketing and Development Division at 304-558-2210.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
|
|
|
|
©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
|
|
Contact the Webmaster
|
|
|
|