- Details
The Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging will again be the distributing agency for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks in 2019.
The purpose of the FMNP, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, is to provide seniors resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared fruits and vegetables from farmers markets and to expand the awareness and use of farmers markets and increase sales at such markets.
Questions may be directed to Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging at (717) 273-9262.
Program highlights for 2019 are as follows:
Eligibility – Eligible individuals must be Lebanon County residents and must be 60 years of age or older during 2019.
Household income guidelines are: one person, $23,107; two people, $31,284; three people, $39,461; four people, $47,638; five people, $55,815; and six people, $63,992.
When picking up checks, individuals must show proof of residence and age. Proof of income need not be shown; it is a “self-declaration.”
Proxy Forms – If an eligible senior is unable to pick up their own checks, they may have an authorized person, a “proxy,” pick up checks for them, provided the senior completes and signs the official proxy form.
Note: The proxy signing the proxy form must be the same person picking up the checks and signing the check register for the senior.
Completed proxy forms, limited to four per person, must be brought to the distribution site by the proxy in order to receive checks for the eligible senior. Blank proxy forms will be available at all distribution sites in advance.
Benefits – Eligible individuals receive four $5 checks for a total benefit of $20 one time during the program year.
Timeframes – The first day to use 2019 FMNP checks is June 1; the last day is Nov. 30.
Eligible Food – FMNP checks may only be used to purchase produce grown in Pennsylvania. FMNP checks may not be used at grocery stores.
The 2019 distribution schedule is as follows. Please note: Distribution times vary at each location.
Tuesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 6: Maple Street Senior Community Center (First Floor Auditorium), 710 Maple St., Lebanon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, June 5: Washington Arms Apartments, 303 Chestnut St., Lebanon, 10 a.m. to noon
Friday, June 7: The Willows Apartments, 609 N. 12th St., Lebanon, 10 a.m. to noon
Monday, June 10: Townehouse Apartments, 1111 Reinoehl St., Lebanon, 10 a.m. to noon
Wednesday, June 12: Palmview Apartments, 255 W. North Ave., Palmyra, 1–2 p.m.
Wednesday, June 12: Palmyra Senior Center, 101 S. Railroad St., Palmyra, 10 a.m. to noon
Thursday, June 13: Stevens Towers Apartments, 10th and Willow streets, Lebanon, 10 a.m. to noon
Monday, June 17: Annville Senior Center, 200 S. White Oak St., Annville, 10 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, June 18: Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center, 335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown, 10 a.m. to noon
Wednesday, June 19: Myerstown Senior Center, 59 N. Ramona Road, Myerstown, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, June 26: Poplar Terrace Apartments, 605 S. Eighth St., Lebanon, 10 a.m. to noon
Thursday, June 27: Willow Terrace Apartments, Eighth and Willow streets, Lebanon, 10 a.m. to noon
Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging cannot guarantee checks to eligible seniors at each distribution site. Checks are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligible seniors are welcome to attend any distribution sites to receive checks. If an eligible senior resides in one high-rise, for example, he/she may go to any other high-rise or any senior center to receive checks.