Benefits of Senior FarmShare:

As a participant in the program, you are qualified to receive a free share ($50 worth) of first-quality, fresh, local produce from a Fresh Start farmer for 8 weeks during the growing season.

Click here for pick up locations.

Click here for a list of produce tht might be included in your share.

Eligibility Requirements:

In order to participate you must:
1. Be a Maine resident, 60 years old or older (55 if Native American)

2. Not be an immediate family member or live in the same household as the farmer

3. Meet one of the 2010 income guidelines--

• Maximum of $20,036/per year ($1,670/month) for a one-person household; or
• Maximum of $26,955/per year ($2,247/month) fora two-person household: or
Have established eligibility in -

• MaineCare
• Supplemental Security Income
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• Low Income Drug Program

How and when to sign up:

Sign up will take place during April & May directly with a participating farmer. We will be scheduling sign up days that we will post on this website. For more information please call 761-4769.Seniors must sign up each year with a farmer. Please do not assume that you are automatically signed up if you participated in a prior year. You may choose a different farmer from year to year, but you can only sign up with one farmer for one share in one program year.

Senior Responsibilities:

You are signing an agreement with a farmer to use your entire share by the date the farmer sets. Only sign up for a share if you are fairly certain you will be able to use all of it. You must let the farmer know if your share will not be used. If you cannot or do not use your full share, the farmer has to provide produce for which he has been paid by signing up another senior.

Things you should consider when signing up with a farmer:

• Does the farm grow fruits and vegetables that you like to eat?
• Are you required in the agreement to go pick up from the farm, or does the farmer deliver to you?
• If you have to PICK UP your produce, do you have transportation to get to the farm enough times over the 8 week season to use up your $50 share?
• Is the place where you have to pick up your produce too far away from your home?
• Do you choose what you will receive every week, or does the farmer choose for you? (This will be explained by the farmer and written on the agreement form.)