I wanted to let you know about an upcoming Nutrition Links program our Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative is offering and the farmers market voucher program available to seniors 60-plus years old and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) recipients.

WCHI, in partnership with Penn State Extension, is offering a free Nutrition Links program - Learn to Eat Healthy on a Budget. Julie Davitt, a Penn State nutrition education adviser and WCHI board member, will be teaching this class, scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon July 25 and Aug. 1 and 8 in the social hall at St. John the Baptist Church, 3024 S. Ruch St., Stiles.

Those who may attend the program include the parent or caregiver of children who qualify for free or reduced school lunch or WIC and adults who qualify for SNAP, food pantry guests and those with Pennsylvania farmers market vouchers.

Topics of discussion will include delicious recipes, smart shopping, meal planning and preparation, food safety and nutrition.

At the completion of the class, attendees will receive a certificate of completion and free kitchen tools.

For more information or to register, contact Davitt at 484-857-2736, jbd14@psu.edu or go to extension.psu-edu/nutrition-links.

I also wanted to let you know about two USDA food security programs called the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

Both provide WIC recipients and low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprepared and locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from approved farmers markets, roadside stands and stores in Pennsylvania.

If you are a WIC participant, you are eligible for three $10 vouchers for the FMNP program if you are pregnant, breast-feeding and/or postpartum. You are also eligible for three $10 vouchers for each child age 6 months to 5 years old. You would receive the benefit during your quarterly WIC visit, and you will be given a list of participating vendors.

Seniors are eligible for SFMNP vouchers if they are or will be 60 years of age this year and have a household income at or below $26,973 for a one-person household and $36,482 for a two-person household. There are higher income limits for more people than two in the household.

Call the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services at 610-782-3255 to find out when and where they are distributing the checks/vouchers. In the past, Lehigh County social workers visited senior centers and senior high-rise apartments to distribute the vouchers.

WCHI will provide the application in English and Spanish at our food pantry distributions July 13 and 20. You can apply only once.

Farmers market vouchers will be mailed starting at the end of June. You can call 610-782-3200 to request an application be mailed to your home, or you can email agingandadult@lehighcounty.org.

Each eligible recipient receives five $10 SFMNP checks to redeem at approved farmers markets, roadside stands or stores. We are fortunate to have a location right in Whitehall - Lazarus Farm Market, 3605 Rural Road.

Lazarus is at the light where the road forks on Mauch Chunk and Rural roads, across the street from Fellowship Community. The market is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. Call 610-799-3831.

Other local locations include Elias Markets, 101 W. Tilghman St., Allentown, 610-776-1030; Diane Billig and Richard Swartley at Allentown Farmers Market, 1825 Chew St., 484-358-2313; and Newhard Farms Corn Shed, 3250 Mauch Chunk Road, Coplay, 610-799-3303.

For other locations, visit tinyurl.com/rap9cutf and put in your ZIP code.

Vouchers will not be accepted at regular grocery stores and must be used by Nov. 30.

Pass this information on for the Nutrition Links class and these fresh produce vouchers.

Thank you, and have a great week!