HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — A new program is giving some Hernando County seniors and families better access to local fruits and vegetables.
The Hernando County Growers Association wants everyone to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
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That’s why many are participating in a program that gives low-income seniors and families $40 to buy Florida grown fruits and vegetables at participating markets around the state.
"It removes the barriers so they no longer have to make the choice, am I going to buy vegetables or am I going to buy meat? Am I going to buy vegetables or am I going to buy milk?" said Michael DeFelice of the Hernando County Growers Association.
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in cooperation with the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. It helps provide low income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods (fruits, vegetables and honey) directly from the farmers.
FDACS has certified all of our HCGA farmers as growers with this program. This program runs through October 5. To learn more or to sign up go to:
Brooksville Enrichment Center
Bayfront Brooksville Hospital
17222 Hospital Blvd
Brooksville, Fl 34601
Tuesday, June 4th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Th Fresh Access Bucks Program allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to double their SNAP dollars for fresh Florida Grown Fruits and Vegetables at the market. SNAP participants can go to the EBT booth at the Brooksville Farmers Market - swipe their SNAP card to get their matching benefits (up to $40 per day). This program is year-round.
For example, the participant can spend $20 on their card and then they are given another $20 in a “chip” to buy additional produce.
The Brooksville Farmers Market is on Sundays 9am-3pm year-round at 615 Old Hospital Dr., Brooksville, FL.
For more information visit hernandogrowers.org or on Facebook.
