DATE: 6/29/06

CONTACT: Steve Odom, (864) 942-8590 ext. 121; stepheo@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension helps seniors eat healthy

GREENWOOD – Many limited and low-income seniors have to stretch their food dollars to make ends meet. Therefore, they don’t always get to eat the right kinds of healthy foods.

Through a program called Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, approximately 1,400 senior citizens in Greenwood County have received fresh fruits and vegetables this year, free of charge, from local farmers at the Greenwood Farmers Market.

The Upper Savannah Council of Governments, in partnership with the S.C. Department of Social Services issues $25 farmers market checks each year to individuals ages 60 and older with limited income. The seniors can use the checks to purchase fresh vegetables and fruits from local certified farmers at the farmers market.

Clemson Extension Agents Steve Odom and James Hodges were asked to assist with the training of certifying farmers for the program. They readily agreed. To date, Odom and Hodges have trained approximately 50 local farmers.

To be certified the farmers must adhere to the guidelines set by the Department of Agriculture. The guidelines states that farmers cannot sell in this program such items as peanuts or other nuts, processed foods, flour, baked goods, pumpkins and other foods that are not considered healthy for the seniors.

“The program has generated a lot of interest from local growers and senior citizens, as well as other consumers,” said Odom.

The program was started in 2000 to supplement the diets of seniors with fresh, nutritious produce and to support South Carolina’s small farmers. Funds for the program were obtained through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture by the S.C. Department of Agriculture.

For more information, contact Odom or Hodges at 864-942-8590 or Vanessa Wideman, area agency on aging director with the Upper Savannah Council of Governments, at 864-941-8050.

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