AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announces it has received additional funding from USDA’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to support its Maine Senior FarmShare Program.

The money will provide $50 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables to an additional 1,000 Maine seniors for this growing season.

The program is for Maine seniors who are 60 and older and meet income eligibility guidelines.

The deadline to sign up with a farm is Sept. 21.

Maine Senior FarmShare is managed by the Maine Department of Agriculture and supported by partner agencies throughout Maine. It utilizes a community-supported agriculture model to maximize benefits to local produce farmers and low-income seniors. During the 2017 season, participating farmers provided fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs directly to about 17,000 low-income seniors.

A “share” is $50 worth of fruits and vegetables delivered directly to seniors. Farmers may also have seniors come to their farm, a farmers market or other distribution sites where seniors can select what they want and “draw down” on their credit balance. Available fruits and vegetables vary from farm to farm. For September through November they may include squash, corn, apples, beets, broccoli, eggplant, radishes, pumpkins and potatoes.

For additional information, email to donna.murray@maine.gov or go online to https://tinyurl.com/y9f4tfhz.

Seniors can also contact their local Area Agency on Aging for assistance toll-free at 1-877-353-3771.