Eighteen Raymond residents enrolled in Senior Farm Share

By Sheila Bourque

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) receives a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund the Maine Senior Farm Share Program. This program provides low-income seniors the chance to receive a free share (worth $50) of first-quality, fresh, local produce at no cost directly from local Maine farmers during the growing season.

Age Friendly Raymond recognizes that food insecurity is a challenge for many of our residents. 

Frank Pecoraro of Mulberry Farms visited our age friendly group last fall to explain the program.

Mulberry Farms has partnered with Age Friendly Raymond to make it possible for a number of our seniors to participate in the farm share program this summer! Organic Farmer Frank will be providing both gift cards and delivering farm shares to eighteen Raymond residents this summer.

Under the leadership of Sheila Bourque and with the help of many volunteers the program information was shared with community residents. The Raymond Lions spread the word via food boxes at our local food pantry and Raymond residents Eleanor Thompson and Laurie Wallace (Age Friendly Raymond Steering Committee member) coordinated sign-ups.

Thanks to all for making this happen!