News: Health Department and Farmers Team Up to Offer Fresh Produce
Fresh fruits and vegetables are some of the key ingredients to a healthy lifestyle. That’s why the Coastal Health District is teaming up again with Georgia farmers to make great summer produce available to everyone.
The annual Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program has begun. Farmers will bring fresh fruits and veggies throughout the summer to the county health departments within the Coastal Health District. See the bottom of this page for a schedule.
Participants in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program will be given vouchers for free produce. “Having the farmers at our Health Departments makes it convenient for our clients to pick up coupons, step right outside and turn them in for great tasting fruits and vegetables,” says Jo Manning, Nutrition Services Director for the Coastal Health District. “The produce at the Health Departments is also available for purchase by everyone, so we hope a lot of people will come by and stock up.”
The farmer’s market WIC vouchers are also redeemable at any authorized vendor stand across the state – just look for a sticker or sign for the Georgia Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.
In addition, WIC clients will be encouraged to plant their own healthy gardens this year. Each participating family will be given seed packets and instructions for creating a mini-garden, whether in a bucket or the yard.
“Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, while at the same time potentially reducing your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases,” says Manning. “Our program makes it easier for everyone to have fresh fruits and vegetables on their dinner tables, and supports local farmers as well.”
Farmer's Market Summer 2007 Schedule:
Bryan County Health Department
9665 Ford Ave. in Richmond Hill
Wednesday, June 20th from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Camden County Health Department
600 North Charles Gilman Jr. Avenue in Kingsland
Mondays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
905 Dilworth Street in St. Marys
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Chatham County Health Department
1395 Eisenhower Drive·
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesdays – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
1602 Drayton Street
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Other participating locations in Chatham County:
-The Stokes Family booth at Keller's Flea Market, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
-2 vendors within the Savannah State Farmer's Market - The Stokes Family Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. -6 p.m. and the Cason's Farm Monday -Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
-Milton's Roadside Stand at Liberty Parkway and Ogeechee Road, Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Effingham County Health Department
802 Highway 119 South in Springfield
Mondays – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Other participating locations in Effingham County:
-Cason's Roadside Stand at Highway 119 and Laurel Street in Springfield, Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Glynn County Health Department
2747 Fourth Street in Brunswick
Mondays and Tuesdays – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesdays and Thursdays – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fridays – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Liberty County Health Department
1113 East Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville·
Mondays (JUNE ONLY!) – 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Tuesdays and Fridays – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
All Wednesdays except June 20 – 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thursdays – 9 a.m. – 1p.m.
Long County Health Department
57 N. Macon Street in Ludowici·
Tuesdays – 9 a.m. - 1p.m.
Other participating locations in Long County:
-Cason’s Farm at 2528 Beards Creek Church Road in Glennville, Monday - Saturday from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
McIntosh County Health Department
3510 Highway 57 in Townsend
Wednesday, June 20th from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Other participating locations in McIntosh County:
-Wilson's Roadside Stand at the intersection of Hwy 17 and Hwy 99 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
-McSeed's Waterfront Stand on Fridays from noon - 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/news/health_departments_and_farmers.php