Author: Caroline Hughes
Planning Unit: Robertson County CES
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Plan of Work: Nutrition and Health
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Robertson County is a low income county of 2191 residents. Approximately 24% live below the poverty level and have trouble accessing nutritious food. Senior citizens make up over 14% of the county's population and many have limited transportation access. The Farmers Market in Mt. Olivet is within walking distance of many residents in town and has become a vital part of their food network.
Robertson County Extension Service has become part of this connection. The Family and Consumer Science Agent, Sue Hughes, has worked together with the farmers to assist in encouraging those visiting the Market to purchase fruits and vegetables by providing access to nutritional information and recipes. Preparation of those recipes using local produce and encouraging attendees to sample the prepared items has met with great success. This collaboration helps to promote incorporation of fresh produce into the diets of senior citizens throughout the community by providing easier access to those foods and showing imaginative ways to prepare items, thus encouraging purchase of foods that may previously had gone untried.
The Robertson County Extension Office provided funding in 2018 for the construction of a shelter house for the Farmers Market merchants. On July 13, 2018, a Grand Opening was held. Attended by over 70 interested shoppers, there was fresh produce for sale as well as information provided by Extension and support from the Robertson County Public Library and the Robertson County Health Department. This was an extremely successful venture for those involved, as approximately $600 in Senior vouchers were spent at the market on Grand Opening Day alone.
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