AUGUSTA — Eligible Maine seniors once again will be able to get free, fresh produce this growing season from local Maine farms.

For the 12th year, eligible Maine seniors can sign up for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program, under the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, starting immediately, according to Department officials. Qualified participants will be able to receive $50 of fresh produce during the season from local farms.

“This is such a great program with so many benefits for Maine people—I have a special appreciation for it,” Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb said. “Not only do Maine seniors receive the best that Maine farms have to offer, this program also helps our family farms by keeping them operating, producing outstanding products, and by creating jobs.”

The program is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Maine’s 2011 award was just over $1 million, and the program served 18,739 seniors around the state.

“The program this year expects to serve about the same number of people with free produce from approximately 127 Maine farmers,” Julie Waller, Maine Senior FarmShare program manager, said.

A Senior FarmShare is an agreement between a participating farmer and a qualified senior on how and when a senior will receive their benefit, $50 of fresh produce. To qualify, a participant must be a Maine resident, at least 60 years old, and have a household income of not more than 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines.

Seniors can contact the Area Agency on Aging at 877-353-3771 to find a participating farmer. The list of participating farmers is also available on the Internet at http://www.getrealmaine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.showpage/pageID/77/index.htm.

For more information, contact Waller at 287-7526 or [email protected].