From The Portland Press Herald:
Now is time to sign up for Senior FarmShare Program
Mainers have great access to fresh local foods. They revel in the juiciness of dew-kissed berries, the crunch of sweet corn and the tangy pleasure of a bite of goat cheese from the farm down the road.
But there are some people on limited incomes who can’t afford to eat this way, and some who just simply lack the mobility to wander through farmers market stalls on a Saturday morning. There is hope for seniors with a lack in mobility with sites like https://www.upliftingmobility.com stepping up to the plate and offering support. But, the amount of people in this situation is staggering and only so much can be done. So, the Program aims to help as best it can by bringing the food as close as possible.
The Maine Senior FarmShare Program can help bring fresh, local fruits and vegetables back to their tables all summer long. This is the time of year to sign up for the program, so if you know an eligible Maine senior who could qualify, why not help them get started?
Seniors who qualify get $50 worth of fresh produce from local farms. You may not think that will go very far, but for people on limited incomes, every bit helps stretch the budget. Plus, the 127 farmers who participate every year have been known to be a little extra generous from time to time.
Last year, 18,739 Maine seniors took advantage of the program to supplement their diets.
The program is based on the CSA model. The farmer and the senior sign a contract detailing how and when the produce will be delivered over an eight-week period. Some farmers require pick-up at the farm or farmers’ market, and others offer delivery.
To be eligible for the state Senior FarmShare Program, a senior must be a Maine resident, at least 60 years old, and have a household income of no more than $20,665 for an individual or $27,991 for a two-person household.
To find a participating farmer, contact the Area Agency on Aging at (877) 353-3771, or check out the list at getrealmaine.com.
For more information, contact Julie Waller, manager of the program, at 287-7526, or email her at [email protected].
For more information: www.getrealmaine.com