08/05/08 Federal funds for Seniors Farmers Market Nutrtion program

Washington Ag August 5, 2008 The USDA recently announced 21 million dollars in final fiscal year 2008 grant awards to 49 states and tribal organizations for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Washington is receiving a 241-thousand dollar grant for the program, which provides low-income seniors with coupons exchanged for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs. This is Farmers Market Week in Washington so proclaimed by the governor. There are over 125 of the markets in the state and Patrice Barrentine, the Small Farm and Director Marketing program coordinator for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, says many are hosting special events this week. Barrentine: "The Washington State Farmers Association has issued a shopper challenge. There's five different challenges they are asking shoppers to think about doing such as trying a new fruit or vegetable, or seeing how much of your food dollar you can spend at a market that week. All sorts of things like that. And that is on the Washington State Farmers Market Association website and that's at wafarmersmarkets.com" The WSDA has worked to increase consumer awareness of the convenience and value of farmers markets. I'm Bob Hoff.