AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced today that it has received additional funding from USDA’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to support its Maine Senior FarmShare Program.

These funds will provide $50 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables to an additional 1,000 Maine seniors for the duration of this growing season.

The program is for Maine seniors who are 60 and older and meet income eligibility guidelines.

Maine’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Maine Senior FarmShare, is managed by the Maine Department of Agriculture and supported by partner agencies throughout Maine. It utilizes a community-supported agriculture model to maximize benefits to local produce farmers and low-income seniors. During the 2017 season, participating farmers provided fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs directly to approximately 17,000 low-income seniors throughout Maine.

Maine’s program provides individual Maine seniors with $50 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables during the growing season. The program is designed to maximize direct support to farmers and low-income seniors, promote community relationships and provide nutrition education.

A “share” is $50 worth of fruits and vegetables delivered directly to seniors. Farmers may also have seniors come to their farm, a farmers’ market or other distribution sites where seniors can select what they want and “draw down” on their credit balance. Available fruits and vegetables vary from farm to farm, for September through November they may include: squash, corn, apples, beets, broccoli, eggplant, radishes, pumpkins and potatoes.

For additional information, contact: donna.murray@maine.gov or visit https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/seniorfarmshare.shtml

Seniors can also reach out to their local Area Agency on Aging for assistance by calling the toll free number: 1-877-353-3771.