Food programs available to low-income families this summer

Low-income families have two new food programs to utilize, in addition to the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The programs are aimed at helping two groups -- children and seniors.

Last month, the Commodity Supplement Food Program started at the Wasilla Food Bank. The program is for children who graduated from WIC, at age 5, who can be supplied with an additional year of nutritional foods under the program. Additionally, postpartum women who went off WIC can receive more nutritional food boxes for six months, as well as seniors over the age of 60 who meet income guidelines.

Another popular program from last year has been started this year. Betty Mercer of the Wasilla Area Seniors said that for the third year in a row, coupon books for locally grown fruit and vegetables are available to seniors with low income. The books are worth $30 each and can be redeemed only for fresh produce grown by local farmers. It has been very successful for the last two years.

The books are available at the Wasilla Senior Center, organizers said.

The Wasilla Food Bank is open every Wednesday and Thursday, except holidays, from 1 to 3 p.m.