Access to high quality, fresh produce is a major challenge for many that live downtown Frankfort. There is only one small, local grocery store that has limited selection and the Farmer’s Market. The Franklin County Farmer’s Market and Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service has worked together to increase the food access to Frankfort residents, especially those on limited income.  

We’ve expanded several of our programs. Marketing efforts to SNAP, WIC, and Senior Voucher participants have been increased about our program offerings.  The Double Dollars program allows participants to purchase $20 in food items, and then receive another $20 to spend with farmers market vendors on fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and dairy products.  We started a weekly Produce 101 table, where volunteers will help prepare customers produce.  A monthly Kid’s Day is also being continued with activities, live animals, and each child get $2 token to purchase fruits and vegetables.  

The Farm-to-Workplace Delivery program has also been expanded to 5 workplaces with 75 participants at each location.  Mostly new customers that didn’t regularly attend the Saturday market have participated in this program.  Not only has this created an additional opportunity for local farmers, but has also provided an opportunity for new customers to order fresh, local, and healthy produce online and conveniently have it delivered to their workplace.

Finally, Frankfort Food Share program has been expanded from last summer.  This program will provide participants a large box of produce valued at $30, but the cost has been scaled on participants’ income.  SNAP and WIC recipients only paid $6. The price scale topped at $42 for those that wanted to “pay it forward”.  The food share will be done 4 times during the summer with 60 shares each time.  

 The funding for these programs has come from a 3-year $200,000 USDA Food Literacy grant.