Craving some fresh zucchini or ripe strawberries? LifePath will be distributing 625 free farmer’s market coupon booklets worth $25 each. One of these coupon booklets could be yours, according to a press release. The coupons are part of a program from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, designed to help elders get fresh, local fruits and vegetables and to help local farmers sell more produce. In order to be eligible for the coupon booklets, you must be at least 60 years old and earn $23,828 or less as an individual or $32,227 or less as a couple. For each additional family member, add $8,399 to the income limit. You will need to sign your name to attest that you meet the criteria to receive a coupon booklet. You do not need to attend a senior center or participate in any other programs to be eligible.
Each booklet contains 10 coupons worth $2.50 each. Please note that no cash can be given as change, so you may want to bring small bills and coins so you can pay the difference instead of using only part of the value of an additional coupon. Coupons will only be accepted by participating farmers at farmer’s markets or farm stands. Please check with each vendor to find out if they accept the coupons. The coupons do not expire until Oct. 31. Each person can only receive one coupon booklet per year. You can use your coupons to buy fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and honey. Other types of items for sale at the markets cannot be purchased with the coupons.
Coupon booklets will be available at the following locations, on the dates and times specified:
■Athol Senior Center, 82 Freedom St., Athol: 10 a.m. to noon.
■Orange Senior Center, 135 East Main St., Orange: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Come visit to pick up your coupon booklet for $25 worth of free, local produce. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Severance, LifePath’s Nutrition Program Director, at 413-773-5555, ext. 2271 or 978-544-2259, ext.2271, or via email at jseverance@lifepathma.org.