Vouchers for free produce available to older Philadelphians

Alicia Colombo

Each year, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) distributes more then 25,000 free produce vouchers to income-eligible older Philadelphians. The vouchers can be redeemed for $24 worth of local produce from 34 certified farmers markets throughout Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s annual distribution of Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) produce vouchers began July 5.

After two years of distributing the produce vouchers by mail only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vouchers will be distributed both by mail and at local senior community centers in Philadelphia. Those who received SFMNP produce vouchers in 2021 will receive an application in the mail. Applications are also available at participating senior community centers, online at pcaCares.org/produce, and by calling the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040.

To qualify for the vouchers, adults must be 60 or older by Dec. 31 and have a household income of no more than $25,142 for one person or $33,874 for two people. The vouchers are limited to one set per person and must be redeemed by Nov. 30.

Completed applications can be submitted by mail, email or dropped off at a participating senior community center. Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Mail-in applications will be processed in the order they are received, and vouchers will be mailed to eligible recipients within 30 days of application receipt.

A list of participating farmers markets, where the vouchers can be redeemed, will be mailed along with the vouchers. You can also visit www.pafmnp.org or download the free app on Google Play or the App Store by searching “PA FMNP Market Locator.”

SFMNP vouchers are made available through funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The following senior community centers in Philadelphia will distribute SFMNP produce vouchers this year:

• Mann Older Adult Center (located at Juniata Park): 1251 E. Sedgley Ave. | Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. | 1-3 p.m.
• Juniata Park Older Adult Center: 1251 E. Sedgley Ave. | Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• The Center at Journey’s Way: 403 Rector St. | Wednesdays, 1-3:30 p.m. and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• On Lok House: 219 N 10th St. | Weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Northeast Older Adult Center: 8101 Bustleton Ave. | Application drop-box only; No in-person distribution.
• Peter Bressi Northeast Senior Center: 4744 Frankford Ave. | July 11, 14, 18 from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
• Norris Square Senior Citizen Center: 2121 N. Howard St. | Weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Lutheran Settlement House Senior Center: 1340 Frankford Ave. | Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Marconi Older Adult Center: 2433 S. 15th St. | Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Philadelphia Senior Center – Allegheny Branch: 1900 W. Allegheny Ave. | Weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Philadelphia Senior Center – Arts Branch: 509 S. Broad St. | Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2-4 p.m.
• West Philadelphia Senior Community Center: 1016-26 N. 41st St. | Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
• Firehouse Active Adult Center: 5331 Haverford Ave. | Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• South Philadelphia Older Adult Center: 1430 E. Passyunk Ave. | Weekdays, 12:30-2 p.m.
• Northern Living Center: 827 N. Franklin St. | Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-2 p.m.
• Center in the Park: 5818 Germantown Ave. | July 11-15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• King Older Adult Center: 2100 W. Cecil B. Moore Ave. | Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Nativity BVM Senior Citizen Center: 3255 Belgrade St. | July 5 & 12, 1-2 p.m. | Members only: July 8 & 14, 12:30 p.m.

For full SFMNP produce voucher program information, please visit pcaCares.org/produce.