Senior citizens often have difficulty getting the necessary nutrients.

There are various reasons for this, including difficulty chewing, inability to drive to the market, no appetite or trying to cook for one.

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, it’s important that we continue to get proper nutrition as we age.

That makes the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program a worthwhile cause.

The program offers vouchers that are distributed through the Area Agency on Aging for low income seniors to redeem at Farmers Markets.

The Farmer’s Market Authority receives federal funds that are distributed across the state to help low income seniors purchase locally grown produce.

The $20 vouchers for eligible senior citizens in Dallas County will be issued this Thursday at 9 a.m. at Concordia College’s Kreft Center (at the Franklin Street entrance.)

They are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Seniors must be 60 or older. A picture ID is required and recipients must sign for vouchers, proxies are not allowed.

According to the Institutes of Health, seniors should get two to three and a half cups of vegetables per day. As for fruits,

seniors should consume one and a half to two and a half cups per day. Other foods that are suggested include five to 10 ounces of whole grains; three cups of milk, with yogurt or cheese as a substitute and five to seven ounces of lean meat, poultry or fish.

The voucher program is a great way to bring awareness to farmers markets, and at the same time provide fruits and vegetables to senior citizens.