Senior citizens around Kansas may be eligible for a program that provides checks to purchase healthy foods at their local farmers markets.

The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is providing seniors who meet age and income requirements with $35 in checks to purchase fresh, nutritious, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and herbs from authorized farmers at local participating farmers markets, July 1 through Nov. 1.

Eligible foods to purchase with the KSFMNP checks from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as “fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and herbs for human consumption that are produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions.”

To be eligible to receive KSFMNP checks, the following criteria must be met:

1. Age: A participant must be 60 years old or older .

2. Income level: A participant’s annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For a household annual gross income must be at or below $23,606 or a monthly gross income at or below $1,968.

Applications for the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program are available by appointment only. In Sedgwick County, contact the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (1-855-200-2372), 271 West 3rd St. North, Wichita. In Wyandotte County, contact the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging (913-573-8531) at Midtown Metro Center, 849-C North 47th St, Kansas City, KS.

Other participating counties include Johnson, Shawnee, Saline, Wabaunsee, Leavenworth, Reno, and more. Visit www.kdheks.gov/sfmnp/seniors.htm for a full list of agencies and contacts.

Funds are limited and checks will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.