Author: Marsha Hagler
Planning Unit: Nelson County CES
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Plan of Work: Family & Consumer Sciences Education; Food Preparation, Preservation & Nutrition
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Nelson County Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in collaboration with the Nelson County Cooperative Extension Nutrition education assistant and the Bardstown Farmers Market Board identified a need to increase vendors knowledge of how to increase the consumption of fresh produce by low income and youth audiences. The group worked closely to create connections with the farmer's market vendors to provide education about how to accept senior and WIC vouchers for the farmers market. As a result 9 farmer's market vendors signed up to accept vouchers. When the previous distribution agency was understaffed and unable to distribute Senior vouchers, the Nelson County FCS Agnet worked to have the Nelson County Cooperative Extension Office to be the distribution agency for the county. 60 seniors were provided $50 Farmers Market Vouchers through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Program, bringing a potential of $3,000 additional income to the accepting vendors.
The NEP educator provided sampling at the market and worked with local partners to provide a recipe bag containing ingredients for pasta primavera to 60 Senior Voucher and WIC Farmers Market voucher recipients in an effort to increase their redemption rates. One recipient shared their finished recipe on social media noting, "My Husband and I loved it. We used snow peas, green pepper, green onion, yellow squash, broccoli, and carrots. The smell in the kitchen was lovely."
The FCS agent secured funding through a sponsorship by the Nelson County Master Gardeners to offer 4 session of the Power of Produce Club at the Bardstown Farmers Market. The aim of this club was to increase fruit and vegetable consumption rates and to introduce the farmers market to a wider audience, including low income families and youth.
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