The Division of Environmental Administration (DEM) Division of Agriculture right now introduced that it’s extending its Senior Farmers Market Vitamin Program (SFMNP) bulk buy pilot program by November and December, leading to an estimated 2,500 packing containers of contemporary Rhode Island meals to eligible seniors.
The aim of this program is to maintain meals safety funds proper right here in Rhode Island. Because of the unpredictability of coupon redemption charges, not too long ago amplified by the pandemic, the DEM has transitioned this system absolutely into the majority buy program. DEM is working intently with the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging to find out what communities are in most want of this help and to make sure probably the most useful consequence. This effort will probably be finished in partnership with Farm Fresh Rhode Island (FFRI), which is able to supply, pack, and ship the meals packing containers to 25 different sites throughout the state.
“Using and selling native Rhode Island growers and contemporary Rhode Island produce to assist feed growing old Rhode Islanders experiencing meals insecurity is a win throughout,” mentioned Governor Dan McKee in a press release. “My administration is proud that DEM and the Workplace of Wholesome Growing old are teaming up with Farm Contemporary RI to ship contemporary, nutritious meals to our neighbors in want.”
“The COVID pandemic has dramatically decreased visits to farmers’ markets by eligible seniors, who exchanged coupons for fruits, greens, fresh-cut herbs, and different meals,” mentioned DEM Appearing Director Terry Grey in a press release. “The rising variety of unredeemed coupons necessitated our returning cash to USDA for this important program. In response, nonetheless, earlier this yr DEM’s Division of Agriculture created a pilot bulk buy program aimed toward delivering wholesome, nutritious meals on to low-income Rhode Island seniors. Subsequent yr, we are going to change fully over to a bulk buy program and never depend on coupons in any respect. I’m grateful for the responsiveness of Ken Ayars’s crew at DEM and the partnership of Farm Contemporary RI and the Workplace of Wholesome Growing old for serving to be certain that meals insecure older Rhode Islanders can meet their primary meals wants.”
“Farm Contemporary Rhode Island is thrilled to companion with the RI DEM to make sure extra seniors have entry to contemporary, native meals,” mentioned Farm Contemporary RI Market Cell Gross sales Director Nikki Ayres in a press release. “Our mission is rooted in making connections — empowering native farmers with market-based alternatives to promote their produce to native eaters, which will increase farm viability and entry to nutritious meals for the neighborhood. We’re thoughtfully sourcing gadgets from quite a lot of native growers and delivering packing containers full of contemporary produce on to senior facilities — feeding folks in want proper the place they’re whereas maintaining the journey meals takes by the availability chain brief.”
“The RI Workplace of Wholesome Growing old (OHA) is happy to companion as soon as once more with the DEM and Farm Contemporary RI to deal with starvation and meals insecurity, by the USDA Farmers Market Senior Vitamin Program,” mentioned OHA Interim Director Michelle Szylin in a press release. “This annual effort is particularly essential in offering eligible older adults over age 60, those that are low-income, and adults with disabilities contemporary native produce. With OHA’s in depth community of companions locally, we are able to proceed to deal with meals insecurity inside these populations throughout the state.”
The Senior Farmers’ Market Vitamin Program (SFMNP) supplies low-income seniors with coupons that may be exchanged for eligible meals (fruits, greens, honey, and fresh-cut herbs) at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Fewer than one-third of senior citizens in the US eat the really useful quantity of fruit and veggies, that are important to stopping and treating well being issues. The USDA Meals and Vitamin Service has been operating SFMNP since 2001 with the annual Farm Invoice handed by Congress offering federal funding for this system. Annually the SFMNP program depends on the redemption of coupon vouchers.
Eligible seniors will obtain a free meals field crammed with local seasonal produce with a worth of $20. Produce will probably be supplied by farmers throughout Rhode Island.
For extra details about DEM divisions and applications, go to www.dem.ri.gov.