Some Hampton Roads senior citizens can get free produce

People 60 and older who live in the cities of Norfolk, Franklin, Suffolk and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton can sign up for a program to receive free produce from farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

Between May 19 and June 5, people who meet certain income requirements can sign up for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

The program provides people with $40 in “checks” to redeem at participating farmers’ markets and roadside produce stands from July 1 through the end of October.

Participants must have an annual income level of about $19,240 for one-person households or $25,000 for two-person households. The program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, served about 2,000 local seniors last year.

People who are homebound can participate if they sign their checks and authorize someone to pick up the produce for them.

Applications for the Farmers’ Market program will be accepted by telephone only on a first come, first served basis between May 19 and June 5. To sign up, call Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia at (757) 461-9481, ext. 145, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.