Farmers market vouchers available for income-eligible seniors

Vouchers will be distributed this Friday, August 5, at Burlington County Amphitheater in Westampton

WESTAMPTON – The Burlington County Commissioners are reminding seniors they may be eligible for vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables sold at local farmers markets, including Burlington County’s weekly market at the County Agricultural Center.

The vouchers are being distributed this Friday, Aug. 5, from 10:30 AM to 1 PM at the Burlington County Amphitheater, 5 Pioneer Boulevard.  A total of 6,000 vouchers are available for income-eligible senior citizens courtesy of the County’s longstanding Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Voucher program. Applications are now being accepted for the program, which is administered by the Burlington County Office on Aging.

“For over a decade our County has worked with the United States Department of Agriculture and the New Jersey Department of Health to make sure our most vulnerable seniors have access to nutritious fruits and vegetables grown locally at our area farms,” said Commissioner Felicia Hopson, the Board’s liaison to the Department of Human Services and Health Department. “No one, regardless of their age or circumstances, should have to go hungry or stress over food supplies, and this program has had tremendous success for seniors in need.”

Applications for vouchers are available by calling the Office on Aging at 609-265-5069 or on-site at Friday’s distribution. Residents should bring a photo ID.

To be eligible, seniors must be 60 or older and residents of Burlington County and have annual income less than $25,142 for a single or less than $33,874 for a married couple. Residents who have obtained vouchers already in 2022 are not eligible.

Friday’s voucher distribution event will also feature pop-up farm stands on site so qualifying seniors can immediately begin using vouchers to purchase fresh produce. Several vendors will also be there with information about available services and programs.

Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel said the voucher program helps local seniors and local farmers.

“The vouchers are a great resource for seniors with limited income to avoid cutting back on nutritious foods,” said Eckel. “The program also assists our local farmers by creating a larger market for their farm-fresh goods, and we’re thrilled some local farms will be setting up produce stands at the amphitheater for seniors to shop from right away.”

Vouchers are also accepted at the Burlington County Farmers Market held each Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM at the Burlington County Agricultural Center, 500 Centerton Road, Moorestown. A list of the other markets where the vouchers are accepted is posted online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/434/Aging.