Starting this week, about $143,000 in coupons will be available to help eligible Vermonters buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets.
Coupons are issued through the Farm to Family program on a first come, first served basis and may be used at any of the 52 markets enrolled in the program this summer.
Who is eligible?
• Families enrolled in the Vermont Department of Health's WIC Program. Apply at special Farm to Family sessions held in your district. Get the program schedule in the June WIC newsletter or by calling your local health office. If you need the phone number of your local office, call 800-649-4357.
• Vermont households with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty limit: $1,872 a month for a single person, $2,538 for a couple, $3,204 for a family of three, $3,870 for a family of four, and $4,536 for a family of five. Apply at your local community action agency. (Dial 211 if you need the phone number.)
“We expect over 250 produce growers to participate in the program this season,” said Sean Brown, deputy commissioner of the Economic Services Division in the Department for Children and Families, in a news release.
“Every coupon spent puts $6 directly into the pocket of a Vermont farmer. This supports Vermont's farm economy while putting great local foods on family dinner tables.”