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CASSOPOLIS — The Cass County Council on Aging is working to ensure area seniors have access to fresh fruits and vegetables this summer.

Thursday, the COA hosted a Project Fresh drive-thru event. A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services program, Project Fresh provides participants with coupons to be used at local farmer’s markets and roadside stands.

The COA has been administering Project Fresh coupons for more than a decade. Typically, participants would pick up their coupons inside. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, COA leaders opted to host a drive-thru event spread out over multiple days in order to promote social distancing. In total, COA staff said they expected to serve 150 Cass County residents.

“I think this helps people get produce that normally wouldn’t buy it if they have limited funds,” said Lori Hardy, of the COA. “It helps them, and it also really helps our local farmers’ markets because it brings business to them.”