Overview

The Main Senior FarmShare Program is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). The program provides healthy fresh fruits and vegetables and other farm produce to citizens of Maine with a low-income background. This program makes sure to provide free-of-cost fresh produce to eligible households. The program is seasonal and is available during the growing season. The program provides a $50 share worth of farm produce to every eligible senior in Maine.

Program Aims

The main aim of the Maine Senior FarmShare Program is to help senior citizens who are not receiving proper nutrition by providing them with healthy and fresh food. The program also aims to create and increase awareness regarding the benefits of farmers’ markets across the state and to promote buying freshly grown food from the farmers in the state of Maine. The program is seasonal and is available during the growing season. 

Eligibility Criteria

If you are an individual who is 60 years old or 50 years old Native American, then you can apply for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program. Furthermore, the applicant should belong to a household that has a limited family income to be eligible for the program’s services. You should also check if you are living in an area where you can easily buy freshly-grown food from the nearby local farmers’ market.

The main aim of the Maine Senior FarmShare Program is to help senior citizens who are not receiving proper nutrition by providing them with healthy and fresh food. The program also aims to create and increase awareness regarding the benefits of farmers’ markets across the state and to promote buying freshly grown food from the farmers in the state of Maine.

Application Process

Benefit by State is a website providing blogs and overviews of such programs, helping people learn about the support available in their area.The sign-up for the Maine Pension Farm Share Program starts at the start of April. The program has limited funding. Usually, there are fewer farmers available than the seniors who sign up so it provides services on a first come first serve basis.

Choosing a Farm

There are also certain things that seniors should keep in mind before choosing a farm. Firstly, the farm should grow food that you want to buy. Secondly, it is important to find a farm that is in your area or close to it. Other things to consider are whether delivery services are available or not. Seniors should also inquire if the food is pre-packed or if they have the freedom to shop themselves.

Income Requirements

The program also takes into accounts the total household income to determine your eligibility for the Senior FarmShare Program. For individuals, the household income should not exceed $23,606 each year and for a two-person household, the total household income is equal to $31,894 per year. 

Annual Reapplication

The applicants should keep in mind that, they have to apply for the program each year to be eligible for the program. Similarly, each year you will have to sign a Senior FarmShare Agreement Form at the time of sign-up.

Additional Resources

To learn more about the Maine Senior FarmShare Program kindly visit the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). To learn about the program, you can contact the Maine Senior FarmShare Program office at the following numbers, (207) 446-5550

You can also contact the Area Agency on Aging to learn more about the program at the following numbers, 1-877-353-3771