Senior Farm Share Program
What is the Senior Farm Share Program?
The Senior Farm Share Program helps limited-income seniors purchase fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables from their local farmer. Each week a Senior Farm Share member receives a portion of the harvest from the farm. In addition to receiving vegetables, seniors are given the opportunity to connect with other seniors within their residence through food distribution and preparation, learn from University of Vermont Nutrition educators ways to cook and preserve their produce, meet other community members who are associated with the farm, and develop a relationship with the farmer who grows the food they eat each week. In 2007, there were over 600 senior farm share members throughout Vermont!
Who is eligible?
The Department of Aging and Disabilities and NOFA-VT have identified a number of areas in Vermont that will be served through this program. These residences have been chosen based on a variety of factors including eligibility, number of interested participants, proximity to the farm, and availability and willingness of a residential coordinator to take on responsibilities for pick up and distribution.
To participate in the program, seniors must be 60 or older, although younger adults with a disability may qualify if they also meet the financial criteria. Families with a monthly income at or below $1,604 for a family of one and $2,159 for a family of two are eligible.
What are the benefits?
The Senior Farm Share Program connects seniors to the farm through what is called, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) - a means of food distribution where community members purchase a "share" of the seasonal harvest. Senior "shares" are subsidized through the program, so eligible seniors do not need to pay to participate. Each senior is eligible for a $50 coupon which entitles each senior to about $5 worth of vegetables each week from the farm. Seniors are not eligible for any additional funds through this program.
About how many vegetables will a senior receive each week?
Each senior will receive enough vegetables to supplement their diet. This program will not provide all of the vegetables or the variety of vegetables you might want or desire throughout the season. You are receiving about $5 in vegetables every week. You may or may not get to choose the kinds of vegetables that are distributed to you. Expect a wide variety of vegetables each week and plan on trading with other seniors who might like something you do not enjoy. Once again, this program is supplemental to your diet!
What kinds of vegetables are distributed?
Each farm is different and the farm plan reflects these differences. Many farmers grow for up to 100 families and choose a variety of vegetables for those families based on their soil, the location of the farm, the elevation, the customer desires, and the crops they enjoy growing. Be open to trying new vegetables, but communicate with your coordinator if you are unable to eat certain kinds of vegetables because of dietary restrictions. Some farmers will consider alternatives for unwanted vegetables, but cannot always do so.
When does the program begin and end?
Farmers generally begin distribution in mid to late June. At this time, Senior Farm Share members should expect spring harvest vegetables, like spinach, beets, greens, broccoli, and some other early vegetables. By late July and early August, seniors should expect a wider variety of vegetables, like tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, squashes, cucumbers, and peppers. The fall harvest brings winter squash, root vegetables, carrots, and greens. Delivery to members will end some time in October.
How will each senior get his/her vegetables each week?
Each week, on a designated day, the housing coordinator will either pick up the vegetables at the farm or have them delivered to a common kitchen or community space at the senior residence. The housing coordinator will be responsible for the distribution of vegetables to all members, but will be requesting assistance from interested seniors. It will be important to find a small group of seniors willing to take on some leadership for the distribution of vegetables to all. Examples of possible distribution methods include:
- Situation 1
- - At one senior residence, the housing coordinator took a different senior to the farm each week for the pickup. They would then help divide the harvest up among all members.
- Situation 2
- - The farmer delivered the vegetables to the residence and informed the seniors of the kinds and numbers of vegetables each senior was entitled to. Seniors would then go through the line and take their vegetables.
Who is administering the program?
The Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities (and the Area Agencies on Aging) and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont are administrators of the program.
Further Information
For questions about senior eligibility, residence eligibility, or nutrition education, please call: Amy Nickerson, The Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities, (802) 241-2930.
For questions about the farm, the vegetables, nutrition education, or distribution, please contact Enid Wonnacott, The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont at enid@nofavt.org.