COLUMBIA, S.C. — Everyone's diet benefits from the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables. In South Carolina, we are lucky that there is an abundance of farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs) where fresh-from-the-farm produce is readily available.
To make sure that folks in the community can have easier access to fresh produce, the South Carolina Department of Social Services' Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) returns on Saturday, June 1. Through this program, eligible seniors will receive $50 in the form of five $10 checks to spend at participating authorized locations. According to DSS, potential recipients must visit a designated location within their county of residence, bring a photo ID with them, complete an application and meet residency and income requirements. The main qualifying factors are:
- be a South Carolina resident
- be aged 60 or older
- have a yearly income of $26,973 or less ($36,482 for two people)
- report their household size
- have a legal form of identification
Applicants who meet all of the requirements can get a check issued that same day.
SFMNP is available in all 46 counties in South Carolina. See the list here to find the designated location for qualification. Applications are available and approved in person only on the specified days at the specified locations.
- In Lexington County, contact Cindye Richburg Cotton, Rev. Nicky Wilson or Mardell Whyte, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., June 5-7 at Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center, 1218 Batchelor St., West Columbia, 803-744-7943
- In Richland County, contact Mekia Burgess, 803-903-2047, 9 a.m.-until at the following locations and dates: Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison Blvd., June 3; Caughman Road Park, 2733 Trotter Rd., Hopkins, June 4; Killian Park Rec Center, 1421 Marthan Rd, Blythewood, June 5; Zion Canaan Baptist Church, 7820 Farrow Rd., June 6
For a list of authorized participating farmers' markets, roadside markets and CSAs, see this link.