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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Fresh fruits and vegetables make a difference
Even those with lower incomes can benefit from added fruits and vegetables thanks to a little help
MT. PLEASANT — With warm weather, rain showers, and sunshine comes local produce made available at local farmers markets like Mt. Pleasant’s at McMillian Park on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, Washington’s on Thursday evenings in the square, and Fairfield’s outdoor farmers market at Howard Park on Saturday mornings and in the square on Wednesday evenings.
This added availability of fresh fruits and vegetables paired with government funded programs, empowers individuals and families to reap the health benefits of including these important nutritional components to their tables.
According to the Farmers Market Coalition, farmers markets support healthy lifestyles and diets. The coalition further explained that farm stands operating in low-income neighborhoods even just one day a week increased the consumption of fruits and vegetables for families within walking distance. Additionally, proximity to farmers markets was associated with lower body mass index in youth.
“The American Fitness Index includes the number of farmers markets per capita as a factor contributing to community health, using it as an indicator for community members’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” the Farmers Market Coalition states.
“A diet full of fruits and vegetables provides vitamins and minerals that support growth, development and optimal immune function in children,” information shared by Healthy Henry County Communities states. “High daily intakes of fruits and vegetables among adults are associated with lower rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and some types of cancer.”
With programs like Senior farmers market Nutrition Program, no matter an individual’s income everyone can reap these benefits. This program is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Services.
“If you are 60 or older and fall below the income requirements you can receive coupons to spend at the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Farmers Market to help you purchase more fresh produce,” Healthy Henry County Communities stated alongside additional information about the program.
In addition to the age requirement, participants must live within the service area of a Milestones Area Agency on Aging. The specific income requirements state individuals’ incomes must be below $27,861 and a household of two must be under $37,814.
The program provides these older adults with check totaling $50 to spend at participating farmers markets and roadside stands to purchase fresh, Iowa-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey. These checks comes in the form of 10 $5 checks.
Participants that received checks last year will automatically receive a 2024 application. All others interested in participating in this program should visit milestonesaaa.org/nutrition-programs/farmersmarket or call (855) 410-6222.
Another way to multiple nutritional benefits from fruits or vegetables comes from the Double Up Food Bucks program. According to the Healthiest State initiative website, this program allows SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit recipients to earn one dollar for every dollar up to $10 spent on fresh fruits or vegetables at a participating farmers market or grocery store per day.
While SNAP benefits have previously be accepted at Washington’s Farmers market this year’s participating locations for Double Up Food Bucks currently include Fareway in Washington and Hy-Vee in Mt. Pleasant according to the Healthiest State Initiative website.
“It’s a program that is here to help families that need a little bit of extra assistance,” Mt. Pleasant Hy-Vee Accounting Manager Tina Witthoft said. “It helps with purchasing the fresh side of fruits and vegetables. It is a really great program for those that need help affording the fresh produce because it is a little more expense. I think it is a great program because it encourages the healthier side of eating.”
Those that have used the Double Up Food Bucks program in the past also will see an upgrade to the program as both stores have transitioned to a reloadable Double Up Food Bucks Card that stores their earned benefits for when they’re ready to use. Because participants no longer received individuals cards for each dollar spent, they no longer have to keep track of a whole stack of cardboard cards and they do not have to spend whole dollar amounts when redeeming their benefits thanks to this transition.
These bonus bucks can be used to purchase additional fresh produce at participating locations. Bucks on the cards expire March 30, June 30, Sept. 20, and Dec. 31.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
