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Farm shares help seniors

Date: 9/19/2012

By Lori Szepelak

lori@thereminder.com

CHICOPEE — The reusable bags were brimming with freshly cleaned red leaf lettuce, hot peppers, a variety of heirloom tomatoes, acorn squash and carrots as Cookie Thornton and others picked up their weekly farm share produce.

"I can't eat wheat so the vegetables help me with my dietary restrictions," said Thornton during a recent lunch time interview at the Chicopee Council on Aging (COA), 7 Valley View Court.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is concluding its Senior FarmShare Program during the week of Sept. 17, which provided 365 low-income seniors like Thornton with 10 weeks of local produce.

Claire Morenon, CISA's program coordinator, noted that the Senior FarmShare Program is wrapping up its ninth season and is able to provide this valuable service thanks in part to state legislators and the community.

Senior FarmShare partners with 13 local farmers and 16 distribution sites, including senior centers and Councils on Aging, throughout Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Red Fire Farm of Granby has provided the fresh produce to the Chicopee Council on Aging program.

Since its inception in 2004, more than 2,400 farm shares have been distributed to seniors, and local farmers have received more than $280,000 for their produce, according to Morenon.

FarmShare has been supported through a combination of private donations, grants, and state funding. For the 2011 season, state funding was not available, so CISA put out a call to the community for help to keep the program afloat. Morenon noted that the community responded with enough donations to provide 245 seniors with shares that summer.

"Due to the demonstrable community support for this program and the ongoing need for it, funds from the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs were set aside for the 2012 season," Morenon said .

Thornton has participated in the Chicopee distribution program for several years and is thankful for the chance to receive the fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.

"I grew up on a farm in Montgomery so I appreciate all of this good food," she said. "It also reminds me of working in the garden all those years ago with my dad."

Throughout the season, Thornton and others across Western Massachusetts have received a variety of fruits including cantaloupe and watermelon, and a host of vegetables ranging from potatoes, onions, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers, to lettuce, carrots and squash. In addition, a hearty selection of herbs including dill, garlic, rosemary and thyme have been provided to seniors.

"My favorite, though, was the corn," Thornton said. "I love corn."

Morenon noted that at the end of every season, an evaluation form is sent to all senior participants. In the most recent survey, she noted that 100 percent of respondents reported they were "satisfied" with their Senior FarmShare experience. She added that 88 percent of respondents indicated they ate more vegetables because of the program, 65 percent tried a new vegetable because of it, and 45 percent froze or canned some produce for later use.

Sandra Lapollo, executive director, Chicopee Council on Aging, noted how grateful city residents are for the opportunity to share in the bounty of the land.

"Each bag has beautiful produce and herbs which helps supplement a senior's budget," Lapollo said.

Lapollo and Jared Krok, social services coordinator at the Chicopee COA, administers the yearly program. For more information, visit the COA office or call 534-3698.

For more information on CISA and its programs, visit www.buylocalfood.org.