Senior Project Fresh offers coupons to eligible seniors for fresh produce, herbs, honey at farmer's markets

HANCOCK -- Again in 2013, the Michigan State University Extension, Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, in conjunction with the Portage Health Senior Meal Program and Michigan Department on Aging, is distributing -- to eligible senior citizens -- coupons to be used at farmer's markets for fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, honey and wheatberries.

Gustavo Bourdieu sells his honey at the Tori in Hancock. Honey is among the fresh food items eligible for Senior Project Fresh coupons. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Any senior at least 60 years of age from either county who meets the income requirements is eligible to receive a voucher packet of coupons totaling $20. In addition, seniors will receive a short nutrition lesson.

For Houghton County, the coupons will be distributed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. next Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, at the Houghton County MSU Extension office at the Fairgrounds in Hancock. Coupons are on first come, first serve basis and limited amounts are available.

Seniors from Calumet and from Keweenaw County who have not yet received coupons may contact Kathie Preiss, SNAP ED Program Instructor for Ontonagon County MSU
Extension, by emailing her at preissk@anr.msu.edu or by leaving a message for her at the Houghton County MSU Extension Office at 906-482-5830.

John Lennington of Lake Linden offers a variety of fresh vegetables for sale at the Tori in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

For eligible senior vendors at the Hancock Tori Market, Kathie Preiss will be available at the Tori from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. next Wednesday, Aug. 7, to distribute coupons.

The coupons can be used as cash at participating farmers' markets, but vendors cannot give change for them. Coupons can be combined with cash for purchasing eligible items. The coupons expire Oct. 31, 2013, though some markets may not be open until that date.

At the Hughes Farm near Calumet, neat rows of vegetables and a large greenhouse for extending the season are evidence of the farm's successful production of authentic local food. Senior Project Fresh coupons can be used to purchase fresh produce at the Hughes Farm. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Here is a list of the 2013 local participating farmer's markets for Houghton and Keweenaw counties:

1. Gierke Blueberry Farm -- 37915 Klingville Rd., Chassell, 523-6112. You pick only ... Call first.

2. Tori Market, Hancock (front lawn of former Hancock Middle School) -- Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, June through September. Call Sandy at 337-1391 for information.

3. Main Street Calumet Farmer's Market -- Local produce. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from July 1 through Oct. 14. Contact David Rheault at 370-0028. Located in Agassiz Park in good weather. Otherwise inside the lobby of the Merchants and Miners Building, 200 Fifth St. (corner of Fifth and Portland Streets).

4. Wooden Spoon -- U.S. 41 Mohawk (Keweenaw County) 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Bruce Beaudoin, 337-2435.

5. Osma Acres Farm -- 53464 Osma Plat Road, Houghton (Past Oscar on Houghton Canal Road). After Aug. 1: green beans, greens, squash, corn. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Contact Bill or Judith Lell: 483-0586 or 281-4949. NOTE: Does not use insecticides.

6. Hughes Organic Farm -- 53206 Golf Course Rd., Calumet. 337-5185. Open end of July.

7. Lake Linden Farmer's Market -- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays. Starts July 7 through early October. Ed Fisher, 296-9141. Located at Village Park, M-26 Lake Linden.

Click here for more information about Project Fresh.