Local senior citizens could be eligible for free, local, farm-fresh produce.
Approximately 1,300 farm shares available for low-income seniors statewide through the Maine Senior FarmShare program have gone unused, according to Reps. Cynthia Dill and Jane Eberle, both Cape Elizabeth Democrats. More than 100 of those are available in their districts, and they are now working to match eligible seniors up with area farms.
Those who join the program now will receive $50 worth of a variety of produce each week for the remainder of the 10-week growing season. Some farms have the produce available to seniors to pick up at farmers markets while others will arrange for delivery.
Seniors must be 60 years old or older, a Maine resident and either live independently with an individual yearly income of not more than $18,889 or have a combined yearly household income with a spouse or partner of not more than $25,327.
For more information, contact Dill at 767-7197 or Eberle at 776-3783 or visit the program Web site at http://www.getrealmaine.com/connect/farmshare/senior.html.
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