York County Council on Aging offers fresh produce vouchers to seniors

More York County seniors have access to healthy food this summer thanks to a long-running voucher program.

For the 16th year in a row, the York County Council on Aging is providing $25 dollars worth of free vouchers for York County seniors age 60 and older. Voucher eligibility is based on income.

More than 200 seniors gathered earlier this week at senior centers in York and Rock Hill where volunteers distributed vouchers. The vouchers, redeemable at participating farmers markets, can be used to buy only fresh produce.

Lyn Garris, the YCCA development director, said it’s important to give seniors the option to eat healthy and bring home fresh fruits and vegetables.

Brenda Hall, a voucher recipient, said of the program “It helps a lot of people that wouldn’t otherwise get fresh produce.”

Vaughn Brown said he loves receiving vouchers because it allows him to bring home healthy food that he might not otherwise be able to buy.

“On a fixed income, you can run out of stuff and it’s good to have a place to come and get it. It’s excellent, it helps a lot of people,” he said.

“Really and truly, the check we get don’t last the whole month, so at least (the vouchers) helps us out.” said voucher recipient Mozelle Bozeman Darby.

“Some of these people can really use the extra support” said Rock Hill voucher recipient Barbara Benfield. Others, she says, come to make friends and play games occasionally provided by Rock Hill’s senior center.

This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 9:15 PM with the headline "York County Council on Aging offers fresh produce vouchers to seniors."