FARMINGTON – There is good news for the people of Franklin County, specifically for senior citizens and low-income people. Dawn Girardin, director of volunteers and coordinator of the nine local food pantries, said the food pantries are full with good nutritional food.

Several federal and local programs are responsible. Truckloads of food from the federally-run Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program have been arriving regularly at the new Fairbanks Food Warehouse, also the location of the Farmington Food Bank. The food is divided and distributed to all the food pantries.

Besides the canned, dried or frozen foods, fresh produce is available. The Senior Farm Share Program, in its fourth year, pays local farmers to grow fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible seniors.

So far there have been strawberries, beet greens and head lettuce. The weekly deliveries will continue with cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, sweet corn, apples, pears and other fresh foods through the fall.

The income guidelines have increased to $17,224 for a family of one and $23,107 for a family of two. Seniors (over 60 years of age, or over 55 for Native Americans) are encouraged to check with their local food pantry weekly for fresh vegetables.

The “Hope Garden,” between Franklin Memorial Hospital driveway and the Stanley Building, includes vegetables growing in raised beds.

Volunteers have harvested lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, mixed greens, turnip greens, beet greens, beets, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, baby carrots and cucumbers, valued at more than $400. There will be tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, pole beans, cauliflower, dill and other herbs.

The vegetables are bagged and distributed to food pantries and will be given out to anyone who is eligible under the income guidelines. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Hundreds of families in Franklin County have received free seeds and seedlings under the “Seeds of Life” Program, now in its sixth year. The program fosters independence and good nutrition.

Many of the participants go on to be part of the “Grow-a-Row” Program, planting an extra row of vegetables and donating them. A donor can be given a receipt for the value of the donation for tax purposes. Anyone who would like to donate vegetables, herbs or flowers should call 645-3764, ext. 5287.

Another source of food for the community comes through a program called “Gleaning,” which involves harvesting food that might normally remain unharvested. If there is inclement weather in the forecast, or an early frost predicted with short notice, a grower might call and invite volunteers to pick high-bush blueberries, for instance, before the frost hits. Extra sweet corn and windfall apples are examples of potential crops that are a welcome addition to the food pantries.

All of the programs, combined with the efforts of volunteers, have resulted in well-stocked food pantries in the area.

The guidelines for families begin with an annual income of $13,965 for a single individual, then add approximately $4,770 per additional person. A family of six, for instance, can make up to $37,815 and be eligible for supplemental food. The locations of the food pantries and the towns they cover are as follows:

Wilton United Methodist Church: Wilton, Weld, North Jay, East Dixfield.

Clearwater Ministry: the old firehouse in West Mills, West Mills, Industry.

Carthage Food Bank: Carthage, Weld.

Phillips Shared Ministry: Phillips, Avon and Madrid.

FAEM Care and Share: Fairbanks warehouse, Farmington, New Vineyard, New Portland, New Sharon, Temple and Chesterville.

United Methodist Economic Ministry: Freeman, Strong, Kingfield, Salem and Carrabassett Valley.

Stratton Town Office: Stratton and Eustis.

Tri-Town Ministerium: Livermore Falls and Jay.

Church of the Good Shepherd: Rangeley.