AUGUSTA – Seniors, age 60 or older with individual incomes below $18,889 are eligible to receive $50 of free fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables this coming season through the Maine Senior FarmShare Program.

More than 15,000 seniors and 130 farmers statewide will participate. To find a participating farm near them, interested seniors are encouraged to contact their local area agency on aging on the toll-free line, 1-877-353-3771. The list is also available on the Internet at www.getrealmaine.com/connect/farmshare/senior.html.

Participating farms offer a variety of systems for providing produce to seniors. Farmers will explain their individual offerings to interested seniors, and if they both agree the system will work for them, they sign a “share” agreement.

The supply of the $50 “shares” is limited and will be distributed by farmers on a first-come, first-served basis. When a farmer’s available shares are filled, interested seniors will be placed on that farmer’s waiting list.

The program, now in its seventh year, is funded primarily through a U.S. Department of Agriculture food and nutrition service grant.