WINNSBORO – A special farmers market event last week, ‘Lunch at the Market,’ gave older adults and their friends in the community an opportunity to shop for farm fresh food, engage in conversation, meet neighbors for lunch, and enjoy the festive atmosphere with family and friends.
Held on Wednesday, July 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fairfield Farmers and Artisans Market, 117 East Washington Street, the concept was born out of the collaborative efforts of the South Carolina Association of Farmers Markets, South Carolina Department on Aging, South Carolina Department of Agriculture, and the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
The event was open to all community members
Fairfield County Council on Aging brought its older adults to the event and played vegetable bingo. They also had the opportunity for patrons to redeem their Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Vouchers, SNAP, and Healthy Bucks tokens at participating markets. Fairfield’s Farmers and Artisans Market Manager Jamie Vaine said 27 senior vouches were redeemed.
The purpose behind the ‘Lunch at the Market’ event, according to state and county officials who organized it, was to increase awareness of and participate in the community market. The Farmer and Artisans Market always provides low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs, and the ‘Lunch at the Market,’ provides participants with nutrition education opportunities.
To make comments or ask questions about the ‘Lunch at the Market’ event, contact South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) Public Information Director Michael Christopher — 803-734-9872 or [email protected].
The market included vendors selling home-grown vegetables, meats, and homemade crafts. 
