Double senior vouchers at Nicholasville Farmers’ Market
Published 10:44 am Thursday, June 6, 2019
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From staff reports
Low-income families in Jessamine County will now be able to double their purchasing power when buying Kentucky-grown fruits and vegetables at the Nicholasville Farmers Market.
Kentucky Double Dollars is administered by Community Farm Alliance (CFA), with support from Bluegrass Farm to Table and funding from Wei/Care, Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund, and Passport Health. The program provides financial incentives to low-income families to help them buy fresh, Kentucky-grown produce across the state at 41 farmers markets, three retail locations, and 10 Fresh Stops (neighborhood pop-up markets).
Last year, over 10,000 Kentucky Double Dollars customers redeemed over $91,000 in incentives, which increased income for 1027 farmers across the state. CFA sees the program as a great opportunity for everyone involved, because it is increasing local food access and on farm revenue, and that wouldn’t be possible without local farmers’ markets.
“The Kentucky Double Dollars program has been successful across the state and we look forward to growing and expanding into a number of new communities in 2019,” Brittany Steffey, Kentucky double dollars program coordinator said. “The fresh fruits and vegetables offered at the farmers market can play a vital role in the health and well ness of the
community, and the program expands access to this local, healthy food. Kentucky Double Dollars is in its third year and has consistently put more money in the pockets of farmers and more fresh, local food on the plates of those who need it the most.”
To participate in the Kentucky Double Dollars (KDD) Program, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program participants show their vouchers at the Nicholasville Farmers Market booth, where their benefits will be matched dollar for dollar for up to $8 per day. Recipients will then receive Kentucky Double Dollars vouchers to be spent on locally-grown
produce.
Board Member Babette Overman said, “As a Board Member and Vendor of the
Nicholasville Farmers’ Market, I have experienced personally the impact this program has; not only for food supplement recipients, but the community as a whole.”
To obtain further information regarding participation in the Senior Farmers Market voucher program, contact the Jessamine County Senior Citizen Center located in Nicholasville on or after June 1 .
The Nicholasville Farmers Market is in operation from now until the end of October, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 717 N. Main St. in Nicholasville. The market provides the community with seasonal, fresh and local fruits, veggies, plants, eggs, added value products, meat and more.
For more information visit nicholasvillefarmersmarketky.com/