By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Easy come, easy go. The 2025 Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides vouchers to low-income elderly residents in the state, including Barton County, kicked off on July 14. The Barton County Health Department announced Tuesday it had already distributed its allotment of vouchers this year.
The program provides a booklet of 10 $5 vouchers to residents who qualify for a one-time annual benefit of $50 to be used to purchase select items at local farmers' markets. The goal of the program is to provide economic relief, to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to increase direct marketing of Kansas foods.
The Barton County Health Department announced on social media it is creating a waitlist in case more vouchers are received. Interested residents can stop by the health department and provide their name and phone number to be added to the waitlist. Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a voucher.