Staff Writer
More than 15,000 seniors and 145 farms participate in the statewide program known as the Senior FarmShare program. Farmers offer arrangements based on where they are located and how they sell their produce.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Jenn Fuller, farmstand manager, right, and her daughter Ashley Case, keep the bins full at the Skonieczny farmstand on Bennett Drive in Caribou. Skonieczny Farms is one of many farmers statewide participating in the Maine Senior FarmShare program. Through this program area senior citizens who qualify are elibigle for a $50 each farmshare which enables them to purchase fresh fruits and vegetable during the growing seasons from a local participating farmer. The program successfully encourages the older population to boost their nutritional values by having farm fresh items added to their everyday meals.
“We tend to be the contact point for a lot of people looking for the FarmShares,” said Steve Farnham, executive director of the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. “it’s a popular program with older people. Fifty dollars worth of fresh vegetables and fruit doesn’t sound like much,” he said,” but for a lot of people that’s a pretty good supplement. What we like about it is it’s good, nutritious food and it’s fresh.”
Maine Senior FarmShare Program began in 2001 as part of a W.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service pilot program intended to increase access to fresh local produce for low-income seniors and to provide new markets for local farmers.
The additional federal dollars will bring this year’s funding to nearly $1 million, the highest ever.
Agriculture Commissioner Seth Bradstreet said the Senior FarmShare program has proven its worth over the past seven years. “ Not only does it provide seniors with nutritious fruits and vegetables, it provides farmers with a reliable income stream,” said Bradstreet. “This is another measure of the Baldacci Administration’s committment to ensuring the food and fuel security of all Mainers and especially our senior citizens.” “This has been so good for so many people,” added Bradstreet,” Congress did the right thing in the new Farm Bill when they provided permanent funding for it.”
Two thousand more low-income seniors are eligible to sign up for $50 of fresh, locally grown produce this season thanks to an additional $120,000 in federal funds that was added to Maine’s popular Senior FarmShare Program.
To be eligible to participate in the FarmShare Program, individuals must be at least 60 years old (55 for Native Americans) and have an individual income below $19,240 or $25,900 for a couple , who would each be eligible.
Skonieczny Farms on the East Presque Isle Road in Caribou takes part in the Senior FarmShare Program. “The state of Maine has done an excellent job with this program,” stated farmer Steve Skonieczny, “it’s been kept as streamlined as possible for the customers and the program itself is an added benefit to any participating farmer.” Through this program, seniors who qualify may use their $50 all at once or in lesser quantities through the fresh produce season.
In addition to crops of potatoes and grain, Skonieczny Farms grows an estimated 5 acres of vegetables that are used to supply his farm stand. “We don’t do any fruit, but we have just about any vegetable anyone could want. Everything from potatoes to brussel sprouts including, peas, beans, onions, broccoli and more in between,” said Skonieczny.
Jenn Fuller who is the Skonieczny farm stand operator/manager noted that over the years of Skonieczny Farms’ involvement with the state program, they had increased from 25 to approximately 190 shares. “It’s a service we offer , it’s a great program and our senior customers really do appreciate it,” said Fuller.
Steve Skonieczny added the program is very humanitarian and it also brings a lot of satisfaction to the farmers. He also encourages seniors to use their farm shares in a timely fashion. “We can’t deliver the produce to our customers but should someone be unable to pick up the fresh vegetables we sometimes do allow it to be done by proxy,” said Skonieczny, “We certainly don’t want someone to go without.
Another local farmer, Mark Goughan , whose farm stand on the Fort Fairfield Road, offers fruits and vegetables. “ Not only is the FarmShare Program about nutrition, it’s a social event,” said Goughan, “I want these people to get out of their homes and meet up with friends and acquaintances. This has become sort of a gathering place, people come to pick up their fruit and vegetables and have a chance to share stories, etc. with each other. The only problem is when one of our customers hasn’t been around for a while or we hear of an illness, etc., that emotional connection becomes to light.”
The Maine Senior FarmShare is a program of the Maine Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Office of Elder Services, Maine Cooperative Extension, the Maine Nutrition Network and others.
The list of participating farms in on the Web at :http://www.getrealmaine.com/connect/farmshare/senior.html.
Seniors may also call their local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771.