(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Local Food Policy Council is encouraging low-income adults age 60 and older and WIC recipients to apply for Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) produce vouchers. Adults age 60 and older with annual incomes less than $25,142 (single) and $33,874 (married) are eligible to apply for the Senior FMNP. The Senior FMNP provides $30 in farmers market produce vouchers to qualifying seniors first come, first served. To apply for the Senior FMNP vouchers, individuals over age 60 should call the Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209 (extension 8888) and leave a message with their name and phone number. The agency may take up to five days to respond to messages.

FMNP produce vouchers are also provided to WIC (Women, Infants, Children) recipients first come, first served. For more information on the WIC program and the WIC FMNP vouchers, people in Cass County should call 800-338-4129.

FMNP is a congressionally authorized program with the goals of providing fresh, nutritious, locally grown produce to nutritionally at-risk women, infants, children, and low-income seniors; increasing the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding farmers markets; and aiding in the development of farmers markets. More information on the program can be found at https://iowaagriculture.gov/agricultural-diversification-market-development-bureau/farmers-marketnutrition-program.

All four Cass County farmers markets accept both Senior and WIC FMNP vouchers.

Cass County Summer Farmers Markets

• Anita Farmers Market:
  Location: Bandshell Park on Main Street in Anita
  Time/Dates: Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 PM, June – August
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers. Some vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as “food stamps”).
  Contact: (402)677-2460.
• Atlantic Farmers Market:
  Location: Farm Bureau (1501 East 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022)
  Time/Dates: Saturdays 9:00 AM- Noon, May 21 – End of August
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers. Some vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as “food stamps”).
  Contact: (402)677-2460.
• Lewis Farmers Market:
  Location: 3HO (201 1st St., Lewis, IA 51544)
  Time/Dates: Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 PM, Thursdays 4:00-6:30 PM, May 31– October 13
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers.
  Contact: (712)789)-9455
• Produce in the Park:
  Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
  Time/Dates: Thursdays 4:30-6:30, June 2– October 13
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers. All qualifying food vendors at Produce in the Park accept SNAP/EBT (“food stamps”). All produce vendors at the market both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks ($1 coupons for fresh produce provided for every dollar spent on fresh produce with SNAP/EBT up to $10 per transaction).
  Contact: (712) 249-5870

More About Cass County Local Food Policy Council: For more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood. The Cass County Local Food Policy Council is a Cass County Government advisory body that promotes local foods and food access. The Council facilitates networking among people and groups who are involved in all aspects of the local food system—from growing and processing, to selling and eating. In its work, the Council gathers information about local food-related needs and considers what might be done to make sure everyone in Cass County has access to healthy food. The Council then makes recommendations and supports organizations working toward that goal.

To learn more about the Council, contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or (712) 249-5870. The next Council meeting is July 12 at 2:00 PM at the Cass County ISU Extension Office (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022). Meetings are open to the public.