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Medina County seeks local fix after seniors’ farmers market program falls short
Summary
Senior & Adult Services officials told commissioners that the statewide Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program had only 176 spots this year—far fewer than last year’s demand of over 400—and outlined plans for a local alternative and recent emergency placement memorandums of understanding.
Senior & Adult Services Director Laura Toth told the Medina County Board of Commissioners on June 2 that the county faced an unexpected shortfall in the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program and is pursuing a local stopgap to serve older residents in need.
Toth said this year’s statewide program offered 176 spots for Medina County seniors, while last year saw more than 400 applicants. She said the county is working with Angela Manzier and the Senior Adult Foundation on a local alternative that would provide qualifying seniors aged 60 and over with roughly $50 worth of produce. Toth said she expects the Foundation to present a plan to the board after its Wednesday meeting.
Toth also briefed the board on memorandums of understanding the county has executed with several care providers — including an agreement with Diplomat Healthcare, LLC — to create a prioritized contact list for emergency placements of Adult Protective Services clients. She emphasized that these MOUs do not obligate facilities to accept clients but ensure the county has a prioritized list to contact when space and capability are available.
Other highlights from Toth’s update included that Senior Day (May 20) drew more than 650 attendees and 85 vendors, the start of the Picnics on the Patio series on June 5, and a $10,000 unrestricted grant to Medina County’s Meals on Wheels from Meals on Wheels National. Toth also announced a town hall hosted by State Representative Melanie Miller at the Medina Center on Aug. 5 focused on older-adult issues and state policy priorities.
Commissioners did not record any dissent; the board subsequently approved the agreement authorizing emergency placement MOUs as part of the meeting’s consent resolutions.
