The Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging will again be the distributing agency for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks in 2013.

The purpose of the FMNP, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is (a) to provide to seniors resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared fruits & vegetables from farmers’ markets and (b) to expand the awareness and use of farmers’ markets and increase sales at such markets.

Program highlights for 2013 are as follows:

• Eligibility- Eligible persons must be Lebanon County Residents & must be 60 years of age or older during 2013. Income guidelines are $21,257./1 person, $28,694/2 people. When picking up checks, persons must show proof of residence & age. Proof of income need not be shown, it is a “self-declaration”.
• Proxy Forms – If an eligible senior is unable to pick up their own checks, they may have an authorized person, a “proxy” pick up checks for them, provided the senior completes & signs the official proxy form. NOTE: The “proxy “ signing the proxy form must be the same person picking up the checks & signing the check register for the senior. Completed proxy forms, limited to four(4) per person, must be brought to the distribution site by the proxy in order to receive checks for the eligible senior. Blank proxy forms will be available at all distribution sites in advance. 

Click here to download, fill-out and print the 2013 Proxy Form.  NOTE: You need to print the form to sign it.

• Benefits- Eligible persons receive four/$5.00 checks for a total benefit of $20.00 one time during the program year.
• Time Frames- The first day to use FMNP checks is June 1, 2013  The last day to use FMNP checks is November 30, 2013.
• Eligible Food- FMNP checks may only be used to purchase produce grown or produce that is able to grow in Pennsylvania. FMNP checks may not be used at grocery stores.

Distribution Schedule

 ( Note- All distribution times will be 10:00 am – 1:00 pm except Maple Street – 10:am – 2:00 pm.

1. Thursday, JUNE 6 – Maple Street Senior Community Center ( 1^st Floor Auditorium), 710 Maple Street, Lebanon, Pa.
2. Monday, JUNE 10 – Townehouse  Apartments, 1111 Reinoehl Street, Lebanon, Pa. (10am – 1 pm)
3. Wednesday, June 12- Palmyra Senior Community Center, Palmyra Interfaith Manor, 101 S. Railroad Street, Palmyra, Pa. (10am- 1pm)
4. Thursday, JUNE 13 – Annville Senior Community, 200 S. White Oak Street, Annville, Pa. 17003 (10 am- 1 pm)
5. Monday, June 17- Myerstown Senior Community Center, 59 N. Ramona Rd, Myerstown, Pa. (10am- 1 pm)
6. Thursday, June 20-  Stevens Towers Apartments, 10^th & Willow Streets, Lebanon, Pa. (10 am- 1pm)
7. Tuesday, June 25- N. Lebanon Senior Community Center, 135 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown, Pa. (10am – 1pm)
8. Thursday, June 27- Willow Terrace Apartments, 8^th & Willow Streets, Lebanon, Pa. (10am- 1pm)
9. Tuesday, July 9- Washington Arms Apartments, 303 Chestnut Streets, Lebanon, Pa. (10am- 1pm)
10. Thursday, July 11- Poplar Terrace Apartments, 605 S. 8^th Street, Lebanon, Pa. (10am-1pm)

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging cannot guarantee checks to eligible seniors at each distribution site. Checks are handed out on a “first come, first serve basis”. Eligible seniors are welcome to attend any distribution site to receive checks. If an eligible senior resides in one hi-rise, for example, he/she may go to any other hi-rise or any senior center to receive checks.