Eligible Senior Citizens Encouraged to Apply in Person July 16th for Vouchers to Buy Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs and Honey at Reno County Farmers Markets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2025

From Kandace Bonnesen
Director- Reno County Department of Aging
Farmers Market Voucher Program

Hutchinson, Kansas--Low-income Kansas seniors may be eligible for a program that provides coupon vouchers to purchase fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables and honey at farmers markets in selected counties throughout the state.

The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is providing low-income seniors who meet age and income requirements with $50 in coupon vouchers to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized farmers at local participating farmers markets. Coupon booklets containing 10 vouchers worth $5 each will be distributed.

To be eligible to receive KSFMNP coupon vouchers, the following criteria must be met:

1. Age: A senior must be 60 years old or older, or at least 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization, on the day the money is issued. 
   
   
2. Income level: A senior’s annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program application period is open Wednesday, July 16th through the Reno County Department of Aging located at 120 W Avenue B, Hutchinson, KS.

Walk-ins Only, 8:30am – 11:30am; and 1pm – 4pm or until gone.

Limited quantities available. One (1) Per Household.

Coupon vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligible foods to purchase with the KSFMNP checks from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as “fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and herbs for human consumption that are produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions. The Senior Farmers’ Market Program is a project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The program is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), which is collaborating with local partners to identify and distribute coupon booklets to eligible seniors. 

The program is currently available in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Clay, Cloud, Chase, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Coffey, Cowley Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Franklin, Geary, Harvey, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Linn, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Miami, Mitchell, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation, Rawlins, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Stafford, Smith, Sumner, Thomas, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wilson, and Wyandotte.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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