USDA coupon booklets to be distributed to seniors on Friday

Coupons provided by the USDA Food and Nutrition Program for fresh fruit and vegetables will be available from 9-11 a.m. Friday to Carson City seniors age 60 and older whose annual income does not exceed $14,700 for an individual or $19,800 for a couple.

The one-time distribution of the booklets will be done at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St., in conjunction with the bimonthly USDA Commodity Food Distribution.

"This is our fourth year of offering the booklets," said Janice Ayres, executive director of Nevada Rural Counties RSVP. "The program has been received very well."

Ayres said there has been a change in the program, for the better. Years prior, only one person in the household could receive the coupons. This year, any person eligible for the program, husband and wife, brother and sister - all living under the same roof, may receive a booklet.

Ayres quoted a recipient of the program, who last year wrote a letter thanking her for the coupons: "I just wanted to thank you for the fresh produce. It's the first I've had in 15 years. I have a very low pension and get canned commodities, but am not able to afford fresh fruits or vegetables. You made my summer."

"Some of the letters we've received are just heart-breakers," Ayres said. "We sometimes take these things for granted and pick them up any time we want.

"This is important because not only do fresh fruit and vegetables taste good, they're very nutritional."

Ayres said State of Nevada officials write the grant and RSVP is a subcontractor that does the work. RSVP personnel and volunteers help.

The coupons can be used at any Nevada Certified Farmers Market, an association which must meet certain quality standards. There are 25, $2 coupons in the booklet.

The program is a cooperative effort by USDA, Nevada Rural Counties RSVP, Nevada Department of Agriculture, Nevada Certified Farmers' Market Association and the Nevada Division for Aging Services, whose purpose is to increase the consumption, production and distribution of locally grown fruits, vegetables and fresh unprocessed herbs, while supplementing nutritional needs for seniors.

"If someone is unable to pick up their coupons, they can have another person pick them up for them," Ayres said. "But they should bring a signed note from the recipient, with ID for both.

"We will have people there to help if needed."

For information, call RSVP at 687-4680.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

If you go

WHAT: Coupon booklets for fresh

produce

WHEN: 9-11 a.m. Friday

WHERE: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

WHO: Low-income seniors, 60-older

CALL: 687-4680