Since 2004, seniors in Centre County have been taking advantage of a state program that’s putting fresh produce on the dinner table.
According to Sandy Schuckers, health and wellness coordinator for the Centre County Office of Aging, those numbers are on the rise. In the early years of the program, about 1,000 residents of the county involved themselves in Senior Farmers Market Nutrition program. In the last few years, that number has grown to 1,250 annually.
“Folks are excited to get fresh fruits and vegetables,” Schuckers said. “Corn on the cob, tomatoes that taste like tomatoes, strawberries to make homemade jam … fried green tomatoes — produce that is so tasty in the summer months.”
She estimated that since the start of the program, her office has distributed vouchers to nearly 20,000 Centre County residents.
“This is a terrific program that is great for eligible folks and the farmers,” Schuckers said.
The idea of the program is to provide low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from approved farmers in Pennsylvania.
Seniors must be 60 years of age or older and meet the federal income guidelines to be eligible for the program. The checks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upon registering for the program, recipients are given a list of participating farmers and farmers’ markets when they receive their four checks, each with a value of $6. There are more than 1,160 FMNP participating farmers at 828 farm stands and 88 farmers’ markets in Pennsylvania.
The checks can be redeemed for Pennsylvania fresh fruits and vegetables only. No processed food like jams, honey, nuts, cider or baked goods. Also citrus and other tropical fruits are not allowed.
According to Schuckers, each county receives a specific allotment of vouchers and there are still some available to Centre County residents. Call (814) 355-6716 for more information.
Only farmers authorized by the state agency may accept and redeem SFMNP checks. Individuals who exclusively sell produce grown by someone else or purchased from a wholesale distributor cannot be authorized to participate in the SFMNP.
The Senior Farmers Market Voucher Program begins on June 1 and concludes Nov. 30 each year.
The Farmers Markets of Centre County
OPEN MARKETS
BOALSBURG FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays — 2 to 6 p.m.
Boalsburg Military Museum 51 Boal Ave., Boalsburg
boalsburgfarmersmarket.com
DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays — 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fridays — 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Locust Lane and College Avenue, State College
statecollegefarmersmarket.com
HILLSIDE AMISH FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursdays — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
State College Assembly of God
2201 University Drive, State College
MILLHEIM FARMERS MARKET
Saturdays — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
American Legion Pavilion, Millheim
MFM Facebook page
NORTH ATHERTON FARMERS MARKET
Saturdays — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Home Depot Parking Lot
2615 Green Tech Drive, State College
nathertonmarket.com
ORIGINAL BELLEFONTE FARMERS MARKET
Saturdays — 8 a.m. to noon
Dunlap and W. Lamb streets
BFM Facebook page
PEACHEY’S FARMACY
Tuesdays — 8 a.m. to ?
Saturdays — 8 a.m. to ?
NIttany Mall parking lot, Benner Pike side
2633 E. College Ave., State College
PHILIPSBURG COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET
Saturdays — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
North Front and Pine streets
PCFM Facebook page
PINE GROVE MILLS FARMERS MARKET
Thursdays — 3 to 7 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
277 W. Pine Grove Road, Pine Grove Mills
pgmfarmersmarket.com
SHUEY’S MARKET AND GREENHOUSE
Saturdays — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays — Noon to 5 p.m.
Farm Stand on Benner Pike
Across from Centre Dental Care, Bellefonte
Shuey’s Facebook page
TITAN MARKET
Fridays — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2042 Axeman Road, Bellefonte
www.titanmarketbellefonte.com
ONLINE MARKETS
CENTRE MARKETS ONLINE
Shop Wednesdays Noon to Friday 5 p.m.
Pickups at Nature’s Pantry
231 Commercial Boulevard, State College
Saturdays — 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Home delivery available.
www.centremarkets.com
HIDDEN ROCK FARM
Dairy delivery on Fridays
168 Beiler Drive, Rebersburg
www.hiddenrock.farm
THE MARKET@APPFOODWORKS
Online marketplace, Central PA producers
Delivery to homes within 25 miles of downtown State College
appalachianfoodworks.org
STATE COLLEGE MARKET ONLINE
Thursdays — Place orders no later than 2 p.m.
Fridays — Pick up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fridays — Delivery available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m – $5 fee
Home Depot 2615 Green Tech Drive, State College
www.statecollegemarket.com
This story appears in the July 29-Aug. 4 edition of The Centre County Gazette
