Popular program returns to help SC seniors access fresh produce
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Peak season is approaching for so many delicious, South Carolina-grown fruits and vegetables.
With the start of the new month comes the return of a popular program to help older South Carolinians get their hands on fresh produce.
June 1 kicked off the annual Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program in all 46 counties across South Carolina.
“We know getting healthy foods into everyone’s diet — whether it’s children or all the way to senior citizens — will have a great impact on their health and their longevity,” said Connelly-Anne Ragley with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, which oversees the program.
Through it, South Carolinians who are 60 and older with an annual individual income of $26,973 or less, or $36,482 for two people, can receive five vouchers for $10 each.
They can use them to buy fresh produce from among more than 2,000 participating markets across the state.
“We work with senior-serving organizations and nonprofits — things like community centers, offices on aging, and Meals on Wheels distribution sites — to get these vouchers out to low-income senior citizens,” Ragley said.
These vouchers are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be used by October.
“We really encourage our senior citizens, if you qualify and receive the vouchers, please use them and spend them before October of 2024 because we don’t want to have a lower number or less vouchers to give out next year because the federal government penalizes us as a state for not redeeming the certificates,” Ragley said.
DSS reports it serves about 24,000 seniors through this program each summer, with an added benefit to South Carolina farmers.
“There’s a stipulation that says the items that are for sale or for purchase using these vouchers must be grown in South Carolina,” Ragley said. “So we really see this as a win-win for the farmers that participate to sell their crops, as well as the senior citizens.”
All the money to fund this program comes from the federal government, through the US Department of Agriculture.
DSS hopes to receive some state dollars on top of that to expand the program to more seniors in the future.
Eligible seniors can apply in-person at a designated center in the county where they live, which can be found by clicking here. There is no online application option.
They have to bring a photo ID with them, and if approved, they will receive their vouchers the same day.
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