Clinton County senior citizens may receive $25 of vouchers to use at the Clinton County Farmers’ Market this Saturday, August 22, to acquire fresh products at participating vendors.
The community grant fund at the Clinton County Foundation is sponsoring the Fresh Connect program for the first 40 Clinton County residents over the age of 60 who request them, in coordination with the Council on Aging and the Clinton County Farmers Market.
Clinton County Fresh Connect will provide an immediate, practical resource for older adults who face financial barriers to purchasing fresh, nutritious food while simultaneously supporting local farmers and strengthening access to locally grown produce. Through a simple, one-day pilot initiative, eligible seniors will receive vouchers redeemable for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating vendors during the Clinton County Farmers Market.
In addition to helping seniors purchase healthy foods, the program will gather basic information on participation, voucher utilization, and participant experiences. This data will help the Council on Aging (COA), the Clinton County Foundation, and Energize Clinton County better understand local food access challenges among older adults and identify opportunities for future nutrition assistance programs. By connecting seniors with fresh, locally grown food, Clinton County Fresh Connect creates an immediate benefit for participants while laying the groundwork for longer-term solutions to address food insecurity and healthy aging in Clinton County.
The Clinton County Farmers Market is held from 8:30am to noon Saturday at courthouse square, 43 South Walnut Street in Wilmington. Clinton County Fresh Connect is a pilot collaboration between the Clinton County Foundation, Energize Clinton County, Clinton County Farmers’ Market and Council on Aging, and is dedicated to providing an immediate, practical resource for older adults who face financial barriers to purchasing fresh, nutritious food while simultaneously supporting local farmers and strengthening access to locally grown produce.