Senior Farmers Market Vouchers Help Older Adults Access Healthy Fruits and Vegetables

Lisa Gross, an older adult living in Milwaukee County, understands the importance of fresh and healthy food from both personal and professional experience. Lisa earned an associate degree as a Dietetic Technician and worked in the nutrition field for 10 years before retiring early due to a disability. Now living on a fixed income, Lisa knows how important fresh fruits and vegetables are for older adults working to stay healthy and manage their food budgets.

This summer, Lisa is receiving farmers market vouchers through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program for the first time. While this is her first year qualifying for the program, she is very familiar with the impact it can have. For 17 years, Lisa helped care for her uncle and supported her aunt and grandmother. Each year, she helped them apply for and use their farmers market vouchers. She often visited local markets on their behalf to pick out the fresh produce they requested.

“The wonderful part about farmers market vouchers is that you can get things that you like, and you can make beautiful meals.” shares Lisa.

For Lisa’s family, the vouchers helped provide access to fresh, familiar foods that could be stretched beyond one meal. Lisa would often purchase vegetables for her uncle, par-cook them, freeze them and save them for later. This helped make the fresh produce last through the winter months and gave her family more options when preparing healthy meals.

Like many older adults in our community, Lisa is balancing the rising cost of food with other monthly expenses. She receives FoodShare benefits but shares that the amount does not always stretch far enough after accounting for rent, utilities and other bills. At times, Lisa has had to make difficult choices between paying a bill and purchasing food.

“I’ve been in that position where I literally had to forgo paying a bill in order to buy food,” shares Lisa. “The price of vegetables and fruit has gone up so high.”

For Lisa, the farmers market vouchers offer dignity, choice and peace of mind. When she visits the farmers market this summer, she knows she will be able to select fresh fruits and vegetables without worrying about whether her benefits will cover them at checkout.

“When I go to the farmers market, I’m covered,” shares Lisa. “I know I don’t have to worry.”

Lisa encourages other older adults to apply before assuming they are not eligible. Having helped family members use the program in the past and now receiving the vouchers herself, she knows how meaningful the extra support can be.

“A lot of people feel like they’re not eligible,” shares Lisa. “But first, you have nothing to lose. Come try. See if you’re eligible before you just rule it out.”

To help older adults access fresh fruits and vegetables, Hunger Task Force helps connect eligible individuals with the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program provides $25 in vouchers that can be used at participating farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs. Vouchers help older adults stretch their food budgets while supporting access to healthy, locally grown food throughout the summer.

Hunger Task Force is Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader and Free & Local food bank. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.