Vouchers For Low-Income Bayonne Seniors For Farmers’ Market Vegetables, Fruits; Markets Open Tomorrow

Vouchers For Low-Income Bayonne Seniors For Farmers’ Market Vegetables, Fruits; Markets Open Tomorrow

Editor’s note: Our readers may remember our previous coverage of the Bayonne Farmers’ Market, along with the Community Supported Agriculture system on Staten Island.  There are allowances and vouchers for farmers’ markets on Staten Island provided by the Department for the Aging.  Such produce can be obtained at markets at Snug Harbor, along Richmond Terrace, and at the Staten Island Mall.  Most of these have few certified organic options, but they are from local producers (and may be organic informally). We also discussed a 2022 documentary about farms in America and their uncertain future. 

Produce Vouchers Available For Low-Income Bayonne Seniors

Produce market vouchers are available for low-income seniors through the Bayonne Office on Aging, Mayor Jimmy Davis announced.

The seniors’ farmers’ market nutrition program is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs.

Beginning May 27, the Bayonne Farmers’ Market will be available on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. until mid-fall. The last date scheduled for the Bayonne Farmers’ Market is Tuesday, October 28. The market will be located at West 23rd Street between Del Monte Drive and Broadway.

Those eligible for the market vouchers are low-income seniors, defined as individuals who are at least 60 years old and who have household incomes of not more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines, or $2,413 per month for a single person and $3,361 per month for a family of two. To qualify, seniors must provide proof of age, income, and residence. Acceptable proofs include driver’s license, non-driver Motor Vehicle Commission ID card, Medicaid card, food stamp (SNAP) benefits card, Social Security award letter, pension letter, and current bank statement showing direct deposit of income benefits. There will be no exceptions made for those without proper documentation. If a senior wishes to have a proxy pick up vouchers on their behalf, a written letter with the required proofs from the senior must be provided at the time of distribution. Again, there will be no exceptions.

Vouchers will be distributed at City Hall, 630 Avenue C, in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday, June 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Distribution will be done electronically, with seniors receiving a scan code that will be scanned by the farmer for each purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: The distribution will be completed again by way of a state computer system, which has listings for all previous voucher holders. If the system shows that an individual received vouchers in 2024 and did not use more than 50% of the total amount, that individual will be denied receipt of vouchers for 2025.

Distribution will continue every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon beginning June 24 while supplies last.

For further information, please contact the Bayonne Office On Aging at 201-858-6119.

Bayonne Farmers’ Market Back on Tuesdays Through October 28

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the Bayonne Farmers’ Market has is returning for the 2025 season. It will begin on Tuesday, May 27. The Farmers’ Market will operate on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from the springtime through Tuesday, October 28. The market will operate rain or shine, unless extremely heavy rains make it impossible to function. The Bayonne Farmers’ Market operates with the support of the Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).

Mayor Davis said, “We are happy to welcome the Bayonne Farmers’ Market back for the 2025 season. A great line-up of vendors has been recruited for the new season. It is a pleasure to have a great variety of participants for the farmers’ market program. I urge Bayonne residents and our neighbors from nearby communities to support the 2025 Bayonne Farmers’ Market.”

The vendors for the start of the season are Alstede Farms, C & C Creations, the Concrete Bouquet, Empanada Lady, Doc Pickle, Sicilian Club Zeppole, Double Batch Bakery, El Gallo do Oro, and Blessings Bakery. This is just the starting line-up. Cap’s Candy will join the market in the second week. Other vendors may join the market as the season progresses.

Produce vouchers issued by the State of New Jersey can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables at the Bayonne Farmers’ Market.

As was the case in previous years, the Bayonne Farmers’ Market is offering a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Alstede Farms is the vendor for the CSA program. CSA allows city residents to have direct access to high-quality, fresh produce grown nearby by regional farmers. When you become a member of CSA, you’re purchasing a “share” of vegetables. Weekly, from now until the autumn, your farmer will deliver that share of produce to the Bayonne Farmers’ Market for pick-up. CSA members pay for an entire season of produce upfront. This early bulk payment enables your farmer to plan for the season, purchase new seed, make equipment repairs, and more. Registration is ongoing.

Here is the link to Alstede Farms CSA: https://bit.ly/33Zoscn.

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Here is the link to Bayonne Farmers Market Facebook: https://bit.ly/3yrbTED.

The link to Bayonne Farmers Market Instagram is https://bit.ly/3v6gutQ.

If you have any questions about the farmers’ market program, please call the Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone office at 201-858-6357.

Banner Image: Farmers Market announcement. Image Credit – Bayonne Farmers Market