[May 22, 2018 – Mentor, OH] – The Lake County Council on Aging will once again be a distribution agent for the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
The SFMNP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA) and provides limited income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at area farmers’ markets. The purpose of this program is to improve the nutritional health of seniors with limited income and to increase business for local farmers throughout Ohio. To be eligible for this program in Lake County, you must be a Lake County resident, age 60 or older with an income (from all sources) of less than $22,459 for a household of one and $30,451 for a household of two.
As in past years, the SFMNP program will be administered on a first come, first served basis. This year, distribution will be at the The Steven J. Ciuni Conference Center, 9220 Mentor Ave., Mentor. The Steven J. Ciuni Conference Center is adjacent to Beacon Health and can be accessed via the doors to the right (south) of the main entrance to Beacon Health. Distribution will be on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Applications will be reviewed and eligible seniors will be provided with ten $5 coupons ($50 value) that same day. Any coupon sets that remain will be distributed from the Lake County Council on Aging office located at 8520 East Ave., Mentor beginning at 8:30am on Wednesday, June 6th.
Eligible seniors interested in applying for the program will need to obtain an application the day of the distribution or earlier from the Council on Aging or local Senior Center. Applications will not be mailed out and will not be accepted prior to June 5th. Applications are also available on our website (www.lccoa.org). Seniors who are unable to attend the distribution, or need assistance with shopping, may have a proxy attend on their behalf. It is important to note that someone may only serve as a proxy for TWO individuals. Applications must be signed by the senior and the proxy. All proxies must show a Driver’s License or State ID.
For more information, please contact Jennifer McLaughlin, ADRC Manager at (440) 205-8111 ext. 240.