Every year, I like to give information on the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The 2024 application just became available April 19.

This information below comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, tinyurl.com/3xvjd2er.

“The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provide WIC recipients and low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from approved farmers in Pennsylvania.

“Only farmers authorized by the state agency may accept and redeem FMNP and SFMNP checks. Individuals who exclusively sell produce grown by someone else or purchased from a wholesale distributor cannot be authorized to participate in the FMNP.”

To be eligible, FMNP recipients must be on the WIC program to receive this benefit. Receive the benefit during quarterly WIC visits May to September.

SFMNP seniors must be 60 years of age or older and meet the federal income guidelines. The checks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 2024 household income guidelines are as follows: one person, $27,861; two people, $37,814; three people, $47,767; and four people, $57,720.

To get involved, you can easily find a market or farm stand to spend senior or WIC FMNP checks. FMNP season runs June 1-Nov. 30.

Mail-in applications for seniors can be obtained from Lehigh County and can be sent to the Department of Aging and Adult Services, ATTN: Marianne Werling, 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown, 18101. Contact 610-782-3034 or mariannewerling@lehighcounty.org.

WCHI will also have applications available to seniors at our pantry food distributions May 9 and 16.

Recipients are given a list of participating farmers and farmers’ markets when they receive their checks. The checks can be redeemed for Pennsylvania fresh fruits, vegetables and edible herbs only. Each eligible senior recipient receives five $10 SFMNP checks, and each WIC recipient receives three $10 FMNP checks to redeem at a qualified farmers’ market or roadside stand.

The checks can be redeemed for Pennsylvania fresh fruits and vegetables only. No processed food like jams, honey, nuts, cider or baked goods are permitted. Additionally, citrus and other tropical fruits are not allowed.

The closest markets to Whitehall and Coplay are Elias Market, 101 W. Tilghman St., Allentown, 610-776-1030; Lazarus Farm Market, 3605 Rural Road, Whitehall, 610 799-3831; and Newhard Farms Corn Shed, 3250 Mauch Chunk Road, Coplay, 610-799-3303.

On another note, WCHI loves Second Harvest Food Bank. We cannot run our pantry without that support. We obtain most of our food from them.

Last week, they were down to only 71 items, many of which we do not use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they had 200-250 items to choose from and order. Second Harvest serves 200 agencies in six counties.

WCHI fed more than 1,200 residents this month. We need cereal, macaroni and cheese, rice and all kinds of pasta. Please deliver these items 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays to my RE/MAX Unlimited office, 1080 Schadt Ave.

Thank you, as always, for your generosity and support.