Berry festival funds to buy produce for elderly

EAST SANGERVILLE – Sid Stutzman and his family plan to exchange their hoes and baskets for guitars and spatulas when the produce growers hold their annual berry festival on July 22.

It’s an important event for the family because the net proceeds from the outdoor concert and public dinner help put fresh vegetables and fruits on the tables of Piscataquis County’s poor, elderly population.

“There just aren’t enough of the federal farm share funds to go around to everyone who needs the veggies and fruits in their diets,” Stutzman said Tuesday.

Stutzman said 200 income-eligible senior citizens now receive up to $100 in free fruit and vegetables thanks to federal funds. But in a county where the elderly greatly outnumber the young, more help is needed, he said.

Thanks to private donations, Stutzman said, he was able to add 20 more elderly people to the program this summer, but 30 others are still on his waiting list. Some of those senior citizens call often or hitch a ride to the farm stand with a friend to inquire whether their names have inched up any further on the list.

The farm share program is based on income and age, according to Stutzman. The income guideline for seniors over age 60 living alone is $18,130 a year and $24,420 for couples.

About 90 percent of the elderly who receive the farm shares have incomes far below those income guidelines, Stutzman said.

The grower said he relies on contributions from others to help expand the food offerings to seniors wanting fresh produce. Donations are always accepted and accountability is assured with this farm family, he said.

Although they work long and hard hours in the fields tending their crops, the family celebrates each year with a festival raising enough to provide fresh produce for another eight or nine senior citizens.

Stutzman’s own Doughty Hill Band and Jim Gallant of New Gloucester, a singer, songwriter and guitarist, will entertain the audience during the outdoor concert at 7 p.m.

A dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans and the fixings will be served at 5 p.m. The cost of the meal and concert is $12 for adults, and $8 for children 12 and under. Participants should bring their own chairs.

In the event of inclement weather, the meal and concert will be held at the East Sangerville Grange.