The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) has announced the return of the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program on June 1, providing financial assistance to low-income seniors to purchase fresh, local produce.
The seasonal initiative aims to supplement the diets of older residents while bolstering the state’s agricultural economy. Funded by a seasonal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program will expand to all 46 South Carolina counties this year. Approved participants will receive $50 via five $10 paper checks to buy unprocessed fruits and vegetables at authorized farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and mobile markets.
Applications and check distributions are handled strictly on a first-come, first-served basis in an applicant’s county of residence. To qualify for the program, South Carolina residents must meet the following criteria:
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Be at least 60 years of age.
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Provide a legal form of identification and report their household size.
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Have an annual household income of $28,953 or less for an individual, or $39,128 or less for a two-person household.
Eligible seniors must apply in person at a designated distribution site within their home county. Once approved, participants will receive their checks on the same day.
