PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
April 17, 2008 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856 (402) 440-7251 (cell)

LINCOLN - Fresh fruit and vegetable producers who were not enrolled in last year's Nebraska Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will have a chance to join this year's program by completing training offered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). The SFMNP, established as a pilot program in 2001 and authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, provides low-income senior citizens with coupons that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and u-pick operations.

In accordance with USDA requirements that were implemented last year, producers who were not certified in 2007, but wish to accept SFMNP coupons this year, must attend one of NDA training sessions. Newly-trained producers will receive their vendor certification number from NDA, which is necessary for producers to cash 2008 SFMNP coupons.

To enable broad participation for each training session, NDA has scheduled video conferencing at locations across Nebraska. The training sessions will last approximately two hours. Producers will need to contact NDA by April 21, 2008, at 800-422-6692 to reserve their seat.

A complete listing of training sessions is available on the NDA web site at www.agr.ne.gov. Producers who have questions about the training, or do not have access to the Internet to view the schedule, are encouraged to contact NDA at 800-422-6692.