Seniors who haven't picked up the fresh produce vouchers available at local senior centers may have waited too long.

Six of the seven centers in the county have already given away their supply of coupons. The Parrish Senior Center is the only one that still has the vouchers, which can be redeemed at the Walker County Farmer's Market and Ford Greenhouse.

Ruth Barner, director of the Carbon Hill Senior Center, said she ran out of vouchers in a day and a half.

"This year we didn't even advertise," Barner said.

Ann Muse, director of the Argo Senior Citizens Activity Center, said the 70 vouchers she had were gone in about two weeks.

Muse ran out of vouchers last year at the end of summer. She said this is the first time that she has been empty-handed this early in the year.

"I've turned down at least 30 people, and that's not good," Muse said.

Most local senior center directors received about 100 produce vouchers, which couldn't be given away until June 1.

The voucher program is a joint effort of state agencies on aging and the Alabama Farmer's Market Authority. It became available in every county for the first time in 2004. At that time, the total program was worth $1.2 million and served 62,700 seniors.

Seniors must be 60 years or older and meet income requirements to get the vouchers. For example, a couple must make less than $2,042 a month to qualify.

Vouchers can be used to buy $30 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables. The coupons expire in November.

Debbie Battles, nutrition coordinator for the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A), said the program has two benefits.

"It helps our own Alabama farmers as well as getting fresh produce to our seniors," Battles said.

Battles added that she is keeping a waiting list at M4A with the names and phone numbers of eligible seniors who were unable to get the vouchers this year.

"Hopefully, we can find out where there is more of a need in some of these areas and the Farmer's Market Authority will be able to give out more vouchers in that area next year," she said.

Produce vouchers are available at the Parrish Senior Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m.