For the last seven years, the Farmer&8217;s Market Authority based in Montgomery has applied for a federal grant to help bring aid to senior citizens, women, infants and children. This year, their program for seniors will be able to offer coupon books worth $28 in produce to seniors who meet income guidelines.

According to Stacey Sasser, an agriculture development specialist with the Farmer&8217;s Market Authority, the program works by distributing booklets to the people who need the assistance while providing them with certified produce.

After recipients get their booklets, they can only be used to get fresh produce: vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Other partners in the program are the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging, who help distribute the coupon books, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

For Marengo County, there will be three sites for people to get their booklets: West Alabama Senior Center at 500 E. Washington Street in Demopolis, Linden Senior Center at 323 N. Main Street in Linden and Dixons Mills Senior Center at the Rockababylon Church in Dixons Mills. Books will be distributed at noon on June 24, and they will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Another component of the program is the income requirements each recipient must meet. For a household of one, participants must make no more than $18,200 annually or $1,517.00 monthly; for a household of two, participants must make no more than $24,500 annually or $2,042 monthly; and for a household of three, participants must make no more than $30,800 annually or $2,567 monthly.

But Sasser said now more than ever, there is a need for the program.

For additional information, call us at 334-682-5206 or 1-888-617-0500.