Author: Paul Dengel
Planning Unit: Whitley County CES
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
Plan of Work: Nutrition Education
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
In 2016, Horticulture Agent, Paul Dengel successfully raised the redemption rates of the WIC FMNP vouchers that are given to select health departments around the state by 9%. In hopes to build on this success, this 2017 farmer's market season Mr. Dengel coordinated the efforts of the farmers and Whitley County Health Department once again. In 2016 the month of August was very slow with hardly any sales or voucher redemptions so this year he only focused on two days in June and two days in July. The shortened market times required even more coordination and timing between extension and the health department so that vouchers were given out in a timely manner. The added effort paid off. The redemption rates almost doubled from 42% to 81%! Not only was it an increase for the county, but Whitley County's redemption rates were 17% higher than the next closest entity and a 45% higher redemption rate than the state average.
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