Over three hundred Fall River low-income seniors took advantage of the Farmers' Market Coupon distribution held at Fall River Government Center and at the Niagara/Maplewood Senior Center on August 1, 2013. Each senior received $25 in coupons redeemable for fresh produce from participating, certified farmers at Kennedy Park, Ruggles Park, Charlton Hospital, Saint Anne's Hospital and the Downtown Farmers' Market, as well as other markets around the state. The Coupon Program for Elders is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The coupons were made available to elders at least 60 years of age, who have limited income, through Bristol Elder Services, Inc. The goals of the program are to encourage recipients to eat more locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables, to promote more overall consumption of fresh produce, and to promote Massachusetts agriculture. Click here for photos of the 2011 coupon distribution. Click here for a three-minute video of the event. For more information, contact Pauline Gousie at the Council on Aging at 508-324-2401.

(Top row, left) Council on Aging Board Member Lorraine Sherry gets a hug from Fall River Health and Human Services Director Dr. Henry Vaillancourt. (Top row, center) Associate COA Director Pauline Gousie was on hand to welcome over 200 seniors who came to apply for their coupon. (Top row, right) Carlos Furtado talks with Colleen Tetreault while waiting in line. (Middle row) Dr. Vaillancourt talks with Cecilia Crespo as Ms. Gousie handles Ms. Sherry's application. (Bottom row) Humberto Costa, Florence Silvia and Ronald Saucier talk about the savings they get with the coupons as well as the great taste and nutrition in the locally-grown produce they purchase at the markets.