Printing delays farmer's market voucher distribution
Jun. 13—Thousands of Lackawanna County senior citizens will have to wait almost a month longer for free farmers market nutrition vouchers because of a state Department of Agriculture printing delay.
Department spokeswoman Shannon Powers attributed the printing problem to the addition of QR codes meant to add security and convenience for farmers who accept vouchers and must deposit them in their bank accounts. The codes require special paper that wasn't available on time.
"(Vouchers) will still be available for most of the farmer's market season," Powers said in an email. "The value of (vouchers) available to eligible recipients will remain the same."
Instead of voucher distribution starting June 21, distribution will begin July 14, said Susan Miraglia, community services administrator for the county Area Agency on Aging. The vouchers are still good through Nov. 30.
Residents at least 60 years old who meet income guidelines are eligible to receive five vouchers worth $10 each, up from four vouchers worth $24 last year, Miraglia said. They may spend them only on fruits and vegetables grown in Pennsylvania, not baked or other goods available at farmer's markets.
Last year, about 6,000 county residents used the vouchers, Miraglia said.
To be eligible, people or households must meet maximum income guidelines: one person household, $26,973; two people, $36,482; three people, $45,999; four people, $55,500; five people, $65,009; six people, $74,518; seven people, $84,027; and eight people, $93,536.
People who live in nursing, personal care or domiciliary homes are ineligible.
The agriculture department notified the county of the problem on May 25. Officials needed time to reschedule distribution dates, Miragalia said.
The new schedule is:
July 14, 1 to 3 p.m., Covington Park.
July 17, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mid Valley Senior Center.
July 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Jefferson Twp. Senior Center.
July 18, 9 a.m. to noon, Jewish Community Center, Scranton.
July 20, 9 a.m. to noon, Hillside Healthy Aging Campus.
July 21, 1 to 3 p.m., Merli-Sarnoski Park, upper pavilion.
July 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Side Farmer's Market.
July 25, 9 a.m. to noon, Nay Aug Park community room.
July 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Scranton Co-Op Farmer's Market.
July 27, 9 a.m. to noon, Dunmore Senior Center.
July 27, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Throop Senior Center.
Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Taylor Senior Center.
Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to noon, Oppenheim Healthy Aging Campus.
Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fallbrook Healthy Aging Campus.
Contact the writer:
bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147;
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