Healthy Options at the Adams County Farm Fresh Markets

By Audrey Hess

Tuesday’s post told about the Adams County Farmers Markets Association’s EBT machine, which helps to increase accessibility of the markets’ fresh foods to community members.  Another program collaborating through the Adams County Farmers Markets Association is Healthy Options--now in its third year.

Photo credit: Alicia Garcia

The Adams County Food Policy Council (www.adamsfoodpolicy.org) facilitates the Healthy Options program to help increase food access for other members of the community—targeting families that do not qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance yet still experience a challenge in making ends meet.   Community partner agencies such as Adams County Circles Initiative, the LIU Migrant Education Program, Casa de la Cultura, SCCAP Food Pantry, WellSpan Latino Community Health Promoter, Adams County Office for Aging, Family First Health Center, Healthy York Network, New Life Outreach Ministries, Adams County Head Start, and Manos Unidas have referred qualifying participants.  Funding for Healthy Options this year has been generously provided through the Gettysburg Hospital Foundation, a Campus Kitchen at Gettysburg College fundraiser, donated shares from Everblossom Farm,  Beech Spring Farms , and Tuckey’s Mountain Grown Berries, Fruits and Vegetables  Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, a Campus Kitchen AARP grant, the Gettysburg Community Foundation, Gettysburg College Chapel  and St. James Lutheran Church.

This year’s 74 participating households each receive $44 of vouchers to spend at the Adams County Farmers Market Association markets each month from June to September.  They are also invited to participate in as many activities they can from a calendar full of events such as cooking and gardening classes, farm tours, hikes, a photography project and yoga.

Thanks to the community sponsors and dedicated farmers/vendors, local families are able to enjoy fresh, locally grown foods and participate in learning and community-building activities.