Connections Area Agency has announced that the State of Iowa is continuing its Farmers Market voucher program for older Iowans.  With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce.  If you have questions about eligibility, please check with your local senior center.

Applications for the vouchers will be available at your local senior center the week of May 23^rd, 2016.  Your completed application guarantees you a booklet, but there is a limited number, so contact your local senior center if you are interested in this program.   Once you have a completed application, you can return to your local Senior Center to pick up your vouchers on or after June 14^th.

Applications for Council Bluffs residents will be available at The Center, located at 714 S. Main Street on May 23^rd, 2016 as well. The distribution date for Council Bluffs vouchers will be once again held at The Center on Tuesday, June 14th from 9am – noon.  Again, your completed application guarantees you a booklet, so you may come at any time on June 14^th to the Center to present your completed application and obtain your vouchers.  Seniors (age 60 and older) in all other communities in  Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will receive their vouchers through their local senior center.

Program Criteria:

• Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than

$21,978          Single

$29,637          Married

• Only one original application allowed per individual.  No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed.  Married couples can jointly apply on one application.

Dates to Remember:

• May 23rd, 2016:  Applications are available at all local senior centers and The Center in Council Bluffs.
• June 14, 2016:  Council Bluffs Farmers’ Market vouchers are available for pick up at local senior centers in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page Pottawattamie and Shelby counties. Council Bluffs distribution will be held at The Center, 714 S. Main from 9am – Noon for seniors with a completed application.

Two students from Griswold had their egg recipes place in the top 5 during the Iowa Egg Council’s “Incredibly Good Eggs” Recipe Contest, held May 4th at Iowa State University, in Ames. Neve Perdue took 1st place in the Student Division, with her Spring Vegetable Egg Drop Soup. Her recipe earned her the top honors and a $500 cash prize. Tina Perdue, placed 5th with her “North African Baked Eggs with Chickpeas and Feta,” recipe.

The top 5 winners in each category, adult and student, were judged by a panel of experts, with the recipes being scores on taste, appearance, originality, and use of eggs in their dish.

Visit iowaegg.org on the web for the recipes created by the Perdues and other contestants.