Farmers market nutrition programs receive federal funding cuts, delays

Federal funding used to pay for food for low-income families and seniors has been cut by half and delayed, with fewer vouchers available, officials say.

The cuts affect vouchers given to those eligible for the Women, Infants and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program for low-income families and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

Both programs offer vouchers, distributed as small check increments, that can be redeemed at participating farmers markets and distribution outlets through November to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. Ineligible items include processed foods like jam, honey, nuts, cider, baked goods and citrus and tropical fruits.

Senior Farmers Market recipients receive five $5 checks, and WIC recipients receive three $10 checks.

Shannon Powers, state Agriculture Department press secretary, said the state has received less than 39% of the funding Congress appropriated for the farmers market program.

“The federal government has given no explanation or reason for the delay in funding,” Powers said. “The delay will greatly affect farmers with early season items like strawberries that are a popular item with (farmers market) recipients.

“These farmers will need to find new buyers for items they expected to sell with vouchers or take a loss and waste food.”

Powers said WIC agencies will receive about 49% of their requested number of vouchers and senior agencies about 74%.

“There will be fewer people that will be able to get the vouchers,” said Dr. Shannah Gilliam, director for the Area Agency on Aging in the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. “We know that the demand is not going to decrease.”

Because of the federal funding cuts and a delay in distributing funds, the first Senior Farmers Market distribution date was moved from June 10 to June 24, Gilliam said.

The distribution schedule was changed so all sites distributed vouchers at the same time to limit “site-hopping.” Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We are trying to make sure that as many eligible people receive them by having the distributions at the same three-hour window,” Gilliam said. “That’s our best effort in trying to make this an equitable opportunity for our older adults.”

The cuts come when Senior Farmers Market recipients already were set to receive less. Because of the end of covid-19 pandemic funding, the $25 in vouchers Senior Farmers Market recipients received is half of what was available in recent years.

Carrie Nelson, administrator for the Westmoreland County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging, said that office requested 28,000 checks and received 21,100. Last year, it issued 25,990 checks and had a wait list of about 300 people.

“This cut will unfortunately decrease the number of older adults that we have the potential to serve,” Nelson said. “Nutrition needs change as we get older. Due to many variables, food choices become more important.”

To find the nearest eligible farmers market or stand for these programs, download the FMNP Market Locator app for Apple and Android or visit pameals.pa.gov/Public/FarmMarketSearch.

Both programs are supplemental programs, meaning they are not meant to address food insecurity. Those facing food insecurity can call the Area Agency on Aging senior line at 412-350-5460, text FARMER to 987987 or contact your local WIC office.