CareWell Services SW is the lead agency in Calhoun County for the Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH program. This program provides older adults who qualify with unprocessed, Michigan-grown products from authorized farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan.
Market FRESH originates from US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) funding. It is part of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. These federal dollars come out of the federal Farm Bill. The program was designed to benefit both farmers and seniors.
To qualify in Calhoun County, you must be:
- 60 years of age or older
- A person over age 18 with disabilities who lives in a senior housing center
- A Native American Tribal member age 55 or older
- Of age prior to October 31, 2018 to qualify
- Able to meet income guidelines (total household income of 185% of poverty or less).
- In 2017, for single person households, this meant an annual income of $21,978 or less ($1,832 per month). For two person households, the annual income could be no more than $29,637 ($2,470 per month). PLEASE NOTE: The Federal Poverty Levels charts are updated each year in January; these dollar figures may be adjusted for 2018 program year.
- Living in Calhoun County
Eligible adults will receive a minimum of ten, $2.00 coupons that can be used as cash at authorized farmers markets and roadside stands. Local community grants from the Battle Creek Community Foundation along with CareWell Services’ funding make more coupons available. Coupons can be used from June 1-October 31. They are not valid after that date. You may use the coupons to purchase unprocessed, Michigan-grown products from authorized farmers markets and roadside stands which have chosen to participate in the program.
How do I sign up?
Contact CareWell Services SW at 269-966-2450 beginning the second week in May. Coupons are available on a first-come, first served basis. Persons wishing to receive the coupons must participate in registration and distribution events for the program; which are held at various countywide sites annually in late spring and early summer.
Eligible products, participating Calhoun County Farmers Markets and Roadside Stands and Registration and distribution sites/dates/times for the 2018 season will all be posted late spring.
