Although many farmers markets in the area won’t be starting up right away, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition program offered through the United States Department of Agriculture is up and running.

The checks will be distributed by local public health offices, though Health Navigator Ann Cochran with the Dallas County Health Department points out that the distribution system has had to change due to COVID-19 concerns. “We have always visited older people in their homes, or set up a little sign up station in the community room of a senior housing project. Now we are instead setting up three different drive through events. And you must register for one of the three drive through events we’re holding, because what we’ll do is complete your application over the phone when you call us. And when you drive through, all you’ll have to do is put your signature on the completed sheet, and we’ll give you your checks.”

The drive through dates include June 16th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry, June 18th at Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School in Adel, and June 23rd at Westview Church in Waukee. Each will run from 12-3 p.m. Cochran notes, the checks don’t have an expiration date and are good the entire season. She also adds that they could use volunteer help for the drive through events. Tasks would include directing traffic and handing out documents, and Cochran emphasizes that you wouldn’t interact directly with the patrons. Anyone interested in volunteering can call the Dallas County Health Department at 515-993-3750. To learn more about this and other public health topics, click the first link below to listen to the recent Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Cochran. Click the second link to access the Senior Farmers Market program website.

https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2020/06/03/lets-talk-dallas-county-6-3-2020-ann-cochran/
https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program