The state-administered Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives age- and income-eligible seniors four $5 vouchers that can be redeemed for local produce at area farmers markets.

In an aging county such as Allegheny, where there are roughly 290,000 people age 60 and older and only 25,750 sets of the vouchers, there's a lot of competition for them, especially since seniors need to pick them up in person at a county senior community center on the one day that the vouchers are handed out.

This year, that day is Tuesday, July 7.

Not everybody who wants the vouchers will get them, and there are sure to be charges that the process is unfair in some way -- that some people got vouchers who aren't eligible, or that some got more than their share.

At the county Area Agency on Aging, which distributes the vouchers, executive director Joe Barker has heard it all. His agency works to publicize all the rules by running announcement in the Senior News that gets distributed to all the senior centers.

He says he and his colleagues determine the number of vouchers each center gets based on past distributions. They recommend that seniors arrive early on distribution day.

If someone doesn't get vouchers, they can ask to be put on a waiting list for any vouchers that might be leftover at another center.

"But typically we distribute the vast majority that day," Mr. Barker cautions.

The 2009 household income eligibility for those who are 60 (or who turn 60 this year) and older is less than $20,036 for a single person and $26,955 for a married couple (each person is entitled to a set of vouchers).

Seniors must bring with them to the senior center proof of age and residence (such as a drivers license).

Not all seniors know that, if a person is unable to get to a center on vouchers distribution day, he or she can have a proxy sign for and pick up vouchers for them (forms also are available at senior centers). But that person (who may pick up vouchers for himself and up to two other people) would also have to accompany redeemers to the farmers market to exchange the vouchers for food.

Proxies must have filled-out forms (available at senior centers and online at alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx) signed by the person or persons they're picking up vouchers for.

Many, but not all, vendors at area farmers markets and farm stands accept the vouchers, which must be redeemed by Nov. 30. (Senior centers have lists of vendors, which display green signs.)

You can only redeem the vouchers for fruits and vegetables that are growable in Pennsylvania -- not on tropical produce or processed foods. And you don't receive change from purchases, so you'll want to spend the full $5.

For more information, call 412-350-5460 or visit alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx.

Other counties have their own distribution schedules. Westmoreland County, for instance, started in June but continues this month while supplies last.