The Palace Market raised the minimum age for its Tuesday senior discount from 65 to 70 this month, upsetting some customers but defending the move by pointing to other groups of customers that also struggle to afford the cost of groceries. Narrowing the eligible base for the senior discount will allow the market to lower prices on staples and expand monthly sales, benefitting everyone, the market’s director of operations, Brittany Hartwell, wrote in a letter to the editor this week. “We raised the age limit for our senior discount after reviewing demographic data that referenced people on the older end of the senior spectrum as the folks most in need of food assistance,” she wrote. “During our extended contemplation of the matter we continued to return to the fact that many, many other groups face daily financial and food instability in Marin County, examples being young families, agriculture workers, the disabled and those up against short or long term hard times—yet we don’t extend the perk of a special discount to them.” Still, the change was unwelcome to some, such as 68-year-old Fred Lamberson of Point Reyes Station. “I look forward to [the discount], and I need it,” he said last week. “Things are becoming more expensive, especially out here. A lot of us are in shock. We now refer to it as the ‘Palace Mark-up.’” Ms. Hartwell said she expected a backlash when the Palace implemented the change but said they’ve received fewer complaints than were anticipated. “There’s been a tone of acceptance,” she said, adding that the Palace is exploring options for a local’s loyalty plan—such as offering weekday sales or a membership card—and hopes to have a program ready before the year’s end. After loading his groceries into his truck last Tuesday evening, Walter Hoffman, 71, said the recent increase could be a telltale sign of what’s to come. “I can’t help but think they’ll eventually phase it out,” he said.