Maine Senior Farm Share Program concerns

Maine Senior Farm Share Program concerns

To the editor:
    I would like to say a few words about the Maine Senior Farm Share Program, and not having a gift of storytelling, I will be brief.
    Senior citizens doing business at my vegetable stand who are signed up with me and also cash customers who are signed up with other growers have voiced concerns including the following. 

• When visiting family in other parts of the State, why can’t I use my shares there?
• Your carrots are much better than others, why can’t I use some of my shares here?
• Your sweet corn costs more than theirs, why can’t I use my shares there?
    Another problem occurring is the example that happened during the 2009 growing season when tomatoes in some areas were affected by blight. Availability was limited, and some customers could not afford to purchase from areas that did have tomatoes, as they could not use their farm shares in those areas!
    These customers are telling me this program, with all its good points, still doesn’t allow them the right to shop for quality, price, availability and location, and they want that right!
    Some have given me examples regarding other programs. One of the best is “what if the grocery stores signed up applicants needing food stamps, WIC and other programs, and if you qualify, you could only purchase items from that particular store?”
    This would not be done, because the state would know there would be a war, and neither the stores nor the customer would allow this to happen. So why do they expect the Farm Share Program to work this way? Seniors want the right to shop for price, quality and location, just like consumers enrolled in other state programs.
    Thank you for your time and interest.