BELLEFONTE — Beginning June 2, eligible Centre County seniors can receive $25 in produce vouchers as part of a federally funded nutrition program aimed at improving access to fresh, locally grown food.

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, administered locally by the Centre County Office of Aging, will provide five $5 vouchers to residents who will be at least age 60 by the end of the year and who meet income eligibility requirements.

The vouchers can be used at approved farmers markets to purchase Pennsylvania-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey.

The federally funded program, managed nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service and, in Pennsylvania, by the state Department of Agriculture, is designed to improve nutrition among older adults and to increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs.

The initiative comes at a time when Pennsylvania’s senior population is both significant and growing. According to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, the number of senior citizens in rural areas increased by 23 percent between 2010 and 2020. Today, the state is home to roughly 2.48 million older adults — the fifth highest senior population in the country. One in four residents is currently age 65 or older, and that number is expected to rise to one in three by 2030.

Alongside benefiting the state’s elderly population, the program supports over 53,000 farms across Pennsylvania, most of which are family owned and operated. The stipulation that eligible produce must originate from Pennsylvania ensures that the profits directly support in-state farmers.

Quentin Burchfield, director of the Centre County Office of Aging, attended the Centre County Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday for the kickoff of this year’s Farmers Market Voucher Program.

Burchfield informed the commissioners that his office expects the vouchers to arrive from the state within the next few days. He also mentioned that this year’s vouchers have a reduced value compared to last year’s.

“Last year it was more, and that was because of the American Rescue Act money,” he said. “This year they’re reverting back to $25 total per person.”

To receive the vouchers, Centre County residents must meet both age and income eligibility requirements — and act quickly, as they’re distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a single-person household, the income limit is $28,953. For a two-person household, the limit is $39,128. For three people, the maximum income is $49,303, and for a household of four, it is $59,478.

Applicants are required to present a valid ID or driver’s license to receive the vouchers.

“We’re trying to go to every area of Centre County,” said Burchfield, emphasizing the effort to increase outreach and reduce travel distances for seniors seeking vouchers. Volunteers and Office of Aging staff will be available to assist applicants and distribute vouchers.

This year’s Farmer’s Market Voucher distribution dates are:

— Howard Area Lions Food Bank, Monday, June 2, 12-3 p.m.

— Bellefonte Senior Center, Tuesday, June 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

— Madisonburg Senior Center, Wednesday, June 4, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

— Philipsburg YMCA, Thursday, June 5, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

— Snow Shoe Senior Center, Tuesday, June 10, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

— Centre Hall Senior Center, Thursday, June 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

— Centre Region Senior Center, Monday, June 16, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Vouchers will also be available at the Willowbank Building on the following dates and locations: Monday, June 2, in Room 146; Tuesday, June 3, in Room 116; and Wednesday, June 4, in Room 144.

SFMNP checks cannot be used before June 1, 2025, or after Nov. 30, 2025, and farmers are not permitted to give change for purchases less than the voucher amount, so recipients are encouraged to use the full value while they can.

At the market, look for stands displaying the white Farmers Market Nutrition Program poster or visit www.pameals.pa.gov/public/farmmarketsearch to locate qualifying vendors.

Processed and prepared foods, as well as citrus or tropical fruits — which cannot be grown in Pennsylvania — are not eligible for purchase with the vouchers.