Fulton County offers fresh produce to seniors through summer market program

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Georgia Roots is a local farm created by Kennise Elder. During the summer she works with Fulton County to sell produce to seniors.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Fulton County is partnering with Atlanta farmers and the Atlanta Regional Commission to offer fresh produce to seniors at events throughout July. The Georgia Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program serves 450 seniors at four different senior centers in Fulton County.

Eligible shoppers receive a $50 voucher to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. The program is designed to address food insecurity and increase nutrition education.

Kennise Elder has been farming for 15 years and working with Fulton County for five. She said the markets are mutually beneficial.

“You get a lot of produce that comes off in the summer,” she said. “So quite naturally, you're looking for a market that you can get rid of those items. But it's also a pleasure working with the seniors, you know, because they actually are from a generation — they cook, they're used to fresh food.”

Prices for produce has gone up with inflation. Brandy Coffee is the Nutrition Coordinator for Fulton County Senior Services. She said this program makes produce accessible in ways other markets don’t.

“Sometimes you have situations where a senior is unable — maybe they're disabled — to come out,” Coffee said. “They can assign a proxy, and the proxy would be the person who they would assign to pick up their vouchers and to move forward with the program.”

The next market will take place Thursday, July 11 at the Helene S. Mills Senior Center in Atlanta.