NEW HAVEN SENIORS BENEFIT FROM INCREASE IN FARMER’S MARKET COUPONS

(7/30/2007) NEW HAVEN- A greater amount of New Haven’s seniors will receive assistance this year as the State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture has issued an increase in the allotment of farmers market coupons for the City. This year, the City will be receiving 3,967 booklets of coupon booklets (good at all four of the City’s farmer’s markets), an increase from last year’s allotment of 1600 booklets. Farmers Market Coupon booklets are issued to seniors age 62 and older who have a maximum household income of not more than 185 percent of the annual poverty guidelines and are New Haven residents. The individual income limit is $18,130 while the family income limit is $24,420.

The coupon booklets are $15 in value and can be used at the City Farmers Markets located at:

City Hall on Wednesdays from 11:00 – 4:00

Fairhaven on Thursdays from 3:00 – 7:00

Wooster Square on Saturday from 9:00 – 1:00

Edgewood Park on Sunday from 10:00 – 2:00

“We are grateful for the increase in coupon booklets. Each year we ask for additional booklets for our seniors and are so pleased that this year the State Department of Agriculture responded by more than doubling our allotment,” said Darcey Cobbs, Director of Elderly Services for the City. “This means that more seniors will have access to healthy fruits and vegetables from the City’s Farmers Markets. This is great because at the same time we’re helping to support our local farmers.”

The booklets will be distributed through the City’s six senior centers on Wednesdays and Fridays only starting Wednesday, August 1, 2007. Interested seniors can contact the six centers at:

Atwater Senior Center

26 Atwater Street

203-946-8558

Bella Vista Senior Center

339 Eastern Street

203-946-8552

Dixwell/Newhallville Senior Center

255 Goffe street

203-946-8541

East Shore Senior Center

411 Townsend Avenue

203-946-8544

Westville Senior Center

349 McKinley Avenue

203-946-6025

West River Senior Center

1562 Chapel Street

203-946-8543

Further, the New Haven Housing Authority and the following City of New Haven senior housing properties have also received coupon booklets for distribution:

Fairhaven Elderly Housing (Saltonstall)

Ella B. Scantlebury Senior Residence

Park Ridge Apartments

Fairbank Apartments

Mountain Valley Apartments

Ormont Court Apartments

Victory Gardens Apartments

Fountain Heights

Casa Otonol

River Run Housing

Berger Apartments

Tower One Tower East

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660