DeKalb | Kishwaukee Hospital has teamed up with several local agencies to launch a program that will help subsidize the cost of fresh produce for senior citizens and low-income families.

The program is open to families who participate in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program through the DeKalb County Health Department, as well as senior citizens who are clients of the Senior Services Agency. Families participating in the WIC program must complete a certification class to receive their packet of vouchers.

Each packet of vouchers contains several coupons with assigned dollar values, which patrons may take to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market and exchange for fresh, farm-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Dana King, one of the program’s developers events specialists in the marketing department of Kishwaukee Hospital, located at 1 Kish Hospital Drive in DeKalb, said the voucher program has already proven itself to be a huge success. Since the program’s July 29 inception, over 540 voucher packets have been distributed.

“In five weeks, we have reimbursed a little over $3,400 to the farmers,” King said.

Vendors are happy with the program as well. One vendor, Mike Stephen of Crump Family Farms in Carlock likes the program because of its accessibility.

“There isn’t a lot of paperwork, and [the farmers] get reimbursed as soon as the following week,” Stephen said.

Another vendor, Sonia Cooper, of Norway Farm in Norway, Ill., said the voucher program is great because it is mutually beneficial for farmers and patrons.

“We love it,” Cooper said. “It brings people out who might not be able to afford fresh fruits [and vegetables]. It’s not only good for the people, but good for the farmers as well.”

Due to the overwhelming success, Kishwaukee Hospital plans to renew and possibly expand the program next year.

“We’ve been looking into adding Sycamore,” King said. “We would like to open it up to additional groups and markets.”