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West Virginia has the third highest percentage of residents over the age of 65 in the country, at 20.9%. Plenty of Mountain State residents find themselves spending their golden years trying to stretch fixed incomes to meet their needs. But there are supports available for our seniors -- though it is best to get a jump on them when they are offered.
One such example is the West Virginia Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, through the state Department of Agriculture. Not only is the program coming back this summer, it is expanding.
"FMNP is designed to get fresh, local fruits and vegetables to low income senior citizens," WVDA said in a news release. "Seniors sign up for the vouchers used to purchase the fruits and vegetables from local producers at their county level senior center.
"Senior applications will be available after June 1 at the local senior centers."
Before there can be food for those seniors, however, there must be farmers willing to participate in the program. It is a federally funded grant program that helps both our seniors and our farmers by increasing domestic consumption, and supporting farmers markets and roadside stands.
It sounds like a win-win, but farmers have only a few weeks to apply, through WVDA. Should they be accepted, their training will take place through July.
West Virginians have been eating farm-to-table since way before it was trendy; and we know there's nothing quite like a meal fresh from the garden. It is good to know the WVDA is working to ensure all Mountain State residents have that option.
Farmers and eligible seniors should take advantage of the opportunities before them.