KINGSTON — Imagine walking through a garden of fresh vegetables hanging like untouchable pieces of temptation because there is only 10 cents — not even enough for a taste — in one’s pocket.

Fortunately, for North End seniors in need of the funds to purchase unprocessed fruits, vegetables and fresh cut herbs, the state-sponsored seniors’ Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides that assistance.

First, one must fill out necessary proof of income paperwork and sign and collect checks from the nearest Chuckwagon Senior Nutrition Program outlet.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. today, representatives from Kitsap’s Chuckwagon Program will be at the Kingston Farmers Market offering the opportunity for low-income NK seniors to sign up and pick up a packet of checks.

“The stumbling block, it seems, has been getting the vouchers into the hands of the elgible seniors,” said KFM coordinator Cindy Dudley.

Chuckwagon program director Julie Pounds added that the North End has been the most challenging geographical area of Kitsap County to reach seniors who are eligible for the program. But perhaps they are just not there, she said.

“We just have not had a lot of response from the Kingston area,” Pounds said. “I think a lot of them may be over the income level.”

In order to qualify for the program, applicants must be at least 60 years old and make less than $18,130 annually ($1,511 monthly) for a single person or $24,420 annually ($2,035 monthly) for a household of two.

The seniors’ FMNP aims to first and foremost provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs for seniors while also expanding awareness of local farmers markets to promote domestic consumption of homegrown agricultural products.

Depending on income, qualified seniors receive $10 to $30 checks in $2 denominations through the United States Department of Agriculture which they may use — like cash — to purchase fresh Washington grown fruits and vegetables from local farmers at authorized markets.

“For one thing, you are saving money, but it’s just fun to go to the farmers market and pick out what you want,” said Poulsbo senior and program participant Amelia Wilcox. “I’ve been to one at Kingston, one at Silverdale and the one here in Poulsbo just opened up last year and they had mobs of people there.”

The FMNP checks can be used at any authorized farmers market vendor — which should be clearly marked, Dudley said — through October.

Seniors’ FMNP checks are also being accepted at a new location on Scandia Road this summer. In addition to the Scandia Valley Farm (16624 Scandia Rd. NW), open Monday through Saturday, seniors can get even more weekend produce at the Scandia Patch (633 NW Scandia Road) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.