Peoria Grown denied WIC program for seniors, executive director says change is needed

PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - A local, low-cost food market’s WIC funding to help seniors was denied by the federal government two weeks ago.

Peoria Grown , which operates Market 309 , holds markets across the city for low-income households to purchase healthy, fresh food at an affordable price.

Executive Director and Founder Julie Eliathamby said their organization was denied the WIC Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program funding. This means that seniors cannot use their vouchers at their market.

She said they were informed that their organization was denied because it does not supply produce grown by Peoria Grown; however, Eliathamby said they sell produce that is sourced from local farms in Central Illinois.

Eliathamby said the need for food is growing, and she wants to see changes