Macomb County continues to find new ways to work more county money into the small businesses of its local economy.
Its court system started a program that paid jurors on the spot and allowed them to spend it in downtown Mt. Clemens while waiting to be called to court earlier this year. Now the county has found a way to help its local farmers, by helping local seniors to eat more nutritionally.
The new Senior Project FRESH program offers coupons to income-eligible senior (at least 60 years old) residents of Macomb County. The coupons can be used for discounts on unprocessed, locally grown fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets.
"We're trying to help Michigan farmers and in turn help seniors with nutritional value," says Robin Auten, spokeswoman for Macomb County's Senior Project FRESH.
The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, and local donations. The coupons are expected to help more than 300 local seniors this year.
So far, the response has been so great that Auten's voicemail says that interested parties may have to wait for a return call. Other local municipalities, such as Detroit, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, also employ similar programs for people using Bridge cards or WIC coupons at local farmers markets.
Seniors who qualify for Senior Project FRESH coupons, which expire October 31, will get 20, good for $2 off purchases in Macomb County. For information, call Robin Auten at 586-466-8725.
Source: Robin Auten, spokeswoman for Macomb County's Senior Project FRESH
Writer: Jon Zemke
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