The Village of Lindenhurst recently held a press conference to help promote the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services FreshConnect Checks Program, and the federal Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Both of these programs enable eligible participants – including veterans, service members, their families, and qualified, low-income senior citizens – to purchase healthy, fresh, local fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands.
One of those participating markets is the Lindenhurst Farmers Market, opening for the season on Saturday, May 10th, at Lindenhurst Village Square Park. Now in its second year, the Lindenhurst Farmers Market is organized by local volunteer, Darlene Fantel. This year, she is coordinating weekly programming at the market to focus on health, nutrition, and wellness activities and education, including Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk Nutrition Education Programs, New York State National Guard Citizen’s Emergency Preparedness Training, and food demonstrations led by Lindenhurst High School Culinary/Hospitality Students. The Lindenhurst Farmers Market will be open on Saturdays, through November 22nd, from 10:00AM-2:00PM.
The FreshConnect Checks Program is for veterans, active service members, surviving spouses & family members. FreshConnect Checks are distributed locally through the Suffolk County Veteran Services Agency (suffolkcountyny.gov/veterans/Home) on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested applicants must first register by contacting the Northport VA Medical Center at 631-261-4400 x12073.
For income requirements and information about the FMNP for Senior Citizens, please contact the Village of Lindenhurst Rainbow Senior Citizens Center at 631-957-7526.
Deputy Mayor RJ Renna said, “Lindenhurst is proud to be a place where our seniors, local veterans, service members, and their families can come to utilize these important benefits. We hope that the Lindenhurst Farmers Market will benefit ALL of our residents, as a place to gather to get healthy food for our bodies, nutritional information for our minds, and community fellowship for our spirits.”
Pictured here (left to right) are: Suffolk County Legislator, Chairman of the Veterans Committee Nick Caracappa, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey, Suffolk County Veteran Services Agency Director CMSgt. (Ret.) Marcelle Leis, Darlene & Rob Fantel, Mayor Michael Lavorata, Deputy Mayor RJ Renna, Riley Renna, Long Island Blue Star Moms NY6 Chapter President Patricia Harper, Trustee Douglas Madlon, and Trustee Maryann Weckerle.