Mercer County to Distribute Coupons for Fresh Produce to Senior Citizens

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the Mercer County Administration.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced that Friday, June 29, 2012 senior citizens in Mercer County will again have the opportunity to receive fresh produce checks that will enable them to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farm stands.

Hughes, members of the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and representatives from the Mercer County Office on Aging will distribute the checks to seniors Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton. Eligible senior citizens will receive checks to redeem $20 worth of fresh produce at various vendor sites throughout the county.  Checks will be distributed in four - $5 checks.

This special event will be visited by officials from the US Department of Agriculture, NJ Department of Agriculture and the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services.

This charitable Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program was developed to provide low-income seniors with the ability to purchase fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables. 

Documentation is required for certification that includes:

• Identity and residency proof
  • Driver’s license, utility/phone bill or birth certificate
• Income proof 
  • Current income tax return, Social Security statement, or Medicare or Food Stamp Program card

 The Mercer County Nutrition Program reminds seniors of these guidelines:

• You must be 60 years old to receive checks.
• You must provide proof of income or self-declare your gross income to meet the income guidelines.  
• You may not pick up checks for anyone other than yourself, unless you are serving as a proxy. (Call the Nutrition Office for details; see number below!)
• Checks are to be signed in front of the farmers. Do not send signed checks to the market with a friend. The farmer has the right to refuse to honor them.
• Checks may be used only at certified farm stands -- not grocery stores.  Stands will display a yellow poster indicating that they accept these checks.
• Only one set of checks per person will be awarded each year.
• Couples can each receive their own set of checks.

For additional information, contact the Mercer County Nutrition Program for the Elderly, Senior Farmers Market Program,

 at (609) 989-6652.