Program’s End Irks Producers
By Sara Agnew, quotes Mary Hendrickson

Columbia Daily Tribune

June 13, 2005

Online at: http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2005/jun/20050613news007.asp

Seniors, others used farm produce vouchers.

Guy Clark doesn’t understand how the state could eliminate a program that feeds vulnerable people, helps local farmers and infuses the Missouri economy with more than $400,000 in federal funds.

"It doesn’t make sense," said Clark, president of the Columbia Farmers Market. "It’s a shortsighted, mean-spirited cut."

Clark is disappointed with recent state budget cuts that eliminated a program that gave low-income mothers and seniors vouchers to use on fresh produce at farmers markets. Producers for the Columbia Farmers Market such as Clark, Mike McGowan and Kenny Duzan accepted the vouchers, which not only expanded their customer base but also provided free fruits and vegetables to men, women and children who otherwise might not have enjoyed them.

Vouchers also were accepted by venders at the Boone County Farmers Market.

"Sure, it hurts my income, but it really hurts the seniors and women and children who need fresh produce," said McGowan, owner of Shade Tree Sheep & Cattle Ranch in Hallsville. "Besides that, the state lost a tremendous amount of federal dollars."

In Missouri last year, 10 counties participated in the program, administered by the state Department of Health and Senior Services. The state spent $110,000 on the program, said Nanci Gonder, a spokeswoman for the department. Another $417,466 came from the federal government.

"It was part of the budget reductions that were made earlier this year," Gonder said. "Yes, this is a good program, and we are hoping to find private-sector funds or other funds to get the program going again next year if possible."

The voucher program started 10 years ago as a pilot program in Boone County and each summer provided six $3 coupons to each low-income mother who participated and 10 $3 coupons to each low-income senior. Last summer, 37,700 Missourians bought more than $426,000 worth of produce with the coupons.

Among them was 73-year-old Virginia Miller of Columbia. "They were a godsend when I needed them," said Miller, who was shopping Saturday at the Columbia Farmers Market. "I used them for two years, and they were the only way I could buy fresh stuff."

Mary Hendrickson, who works with University of Missouri-Columbia Extension, helping local farmers connect with new markets, said the voucher program was a win-win program.

"It improved nutritional goals for vulnerable populations while spurring income potential for farmers who are trying alternative farming and marketing opportunities," she said. "I know it’s difficult to make all these budget decisions on the state level, but this was one of those programs that was benefiting people on both sides of the equation."

Hendrickson said the program was "wildly popular" among seniors, who redeemed 85 percent of their coupons each market season.

Duzan, a local farmer who has been accepting vouchers for more than three years, said the program accounted for about 10 percent of his sales each season. "I would certainly say that some of these people are not back," he said. "I’m sure it won’t hurt me as much as it will hurt those who used the program."