The 2026 Senior Project Fresh program has begun and will operate through October 2026.
Senior Project Fresh is a USDA-funded supplemental nutrition program that benefits low-income older adults and Michigan farmers. This program provides $25 worth of benefits to participants to purchase fresh, local, unprocessed fruit, vegetables, cut herbs, mushrooms and honey at registered farmer’s markets or roadside stands anywhere in Michigan.
To participate, older adults must meet these eligibility criteria:
- Live in Michigan
- Be 60 years of age or older at the time of registration. Participants can be 55+ if they are a member of a Federally recognized tribe in Michigan.
- Earn 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a household of 1, this would be an annual income of $29,526.00. For a household of 2, this would be an annual income of $40,034.00
To apply, you will need an email address or phone number that can receive text messages.
Community Partners are available throughout Michigan counties to assist both older adults and farmers with the application process. A list of Community Partners can be found on the Senior Project Fresh Program website. The OCCOA is one of them and will be offering assistance with sign ups on Monday, June 1st!
Need a list of participanting farmers? This can also be found on the Senior Project FRESH Program webite.
Your local Senior Project FRESH (SPF) Community Partner is:
Otsego County Commission on Aging (OCCOA)
1165 Elkview Ave.
Gaylord, Michigan
Please contact SPF Coordinator Wanda Cherwinski at (989) 748-4071 for more information.
Farmers Markets in Otsego County:
The Pavilion Market
198 Court St.
(Corner of W. Main St. & S. Court Ave.)
Gaylord, MI 49735
Wednesdays
July 1, 2026 – October 28, 2026
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturdays
May 16, 2026 – October 31, 2026
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For more information and updates, please visit the Pavilion Market Facebook page.
The Gayord Pavilion Market
“Let food be thy medicine
Thy medicine shall be thy food.”
~ Hippocrates