LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Summer is here and it’s that time of year again for the farmers’ market at Steele Wines in Finley.  

The Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties is happy to announce the availability of a free coupon booklet worth $20 (10 $2 coupons) for low-income older adults to be used for the purchase of vegetables and fruits.  

These booklets are issued to the Area Agency on Aging by the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Its purpose is to provide resources to low-income seniors in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs from Farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs to low-income seniors.  

Area Agency on Aging staff will distribute coupon booklets on the following dates, rain or shine:

– June 23, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 7, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 14, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 21, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 28, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– Aug. 4, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Booklets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.  

Those eligible for the coupon booklet must be at least 60 years of age and income cannot exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. 

A single person’s income cannot exceed $21,590 per year. A two-person family’s income cannot exceed $29,101 per year.

Participants can designate an individual (proxy) to act as their authorized representative to receive a check booklet. Talk with a representative at your local senior center to obtain a proxy form. 

July 14 is Senior Day at the Steele Wines Farmers’ Market. Join them in celebrating older adults.

For more information, please contact the Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties at 707-995-4680.

Todd Metcalf is the Adult Services Program Manager at Lake County Department of Social Services.