Senior Project FRESH
The Otsego County Commission on Aging, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, and MSU Extension offer a program targeted at bringing fresh locally-grown produce and nutritional information to the older adults of Otsego County.
Known as Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH (SPF/MF), the program offers a free coupon booklet to each qualifying participant that can be used to purchase unprocessed Michigan-grown produce at any of the farmers markets or roadside stands in Michigan that display a “Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH” sign. This year, each coupon booklet contains five $5.00 coupons. Each booklet is valued at $25.00.
To be eligible to receive Senior Project Fresh coupons, you must be at least 60 years of age, or at least 55 years of age and a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe or Urban Tribal Group in Michigan, meet the income guidelines which are based on 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2023 during the current fiscal year and apply for coupons at the lead agency that represents your county of residence. (The Otsego County Commission on Aging (OCCOA) is the lead agency for Otsego County residents.) The current income guidelines for eligibility are not to exceed as follows:
– For 1 person: $26,973 ($2,248 per month)
– For 2 people: $36,482 ($3,041 per month)
If you have additional family members, see the chart for the income eligibility.
Sign up is easy! Just complete an application form and the proxy form (if you will need a proxy to shop for you) and mail it to:
Wanda Cherwinski
Otsego County Commission on Aging
P.O. Box 430
Gaylord, MI 49734-0430
To have an application and proxy form mailed to you, please contact Wanda Cherwinski at (989) 748-4071.
Upon verification of your qualification for the program, you will receive your coupon booklet through the mail. You will have until October 28, 2023 to use the coupons.
Senior Project FRESH Client Guide – How to use your Coupons
Michigan Fruits and Vegetables Availability Guide

Farmers Markets in Otsego County:
The Pavilion Market
100 Court St.
(Corner of W. Main St. & S. Court Ave.)
Gaylord, MI 49735
Contact the Pavilion Market
Saturdays
May 27, 2023 – October 28, 2023
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“Let food be thy medicine
Thy medicine shall be thy food.”
~ Hippocrates