Columbus County To Promote Nutrition Programs Through Local/state Partnership

Dec. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- Columbus County is one of seven counties in North Carolina chosen to pilot test a new project that will promote three existing nutrition programs.

The three programs are Women Infants & Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), and 21st Century Farmers Markets program.

A local committee consisting of representatives from the Columbus County Department of Aging, Department of Social Services, Health Department, and the Farmers Market will work with other local community partners and a similar state-level committee made up of representatives from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services and Division of Public Health to develop promotional and nutrition education materials and activities that will increase participation in the three programs during spring and summer 2011.

“This is a great opportunity for the farmers market to expand its working relationship with DSS, Department of Aging, and WIC to better serve our community,” said Kipling Godwin, Marketing Consultant with the Columbus County Community Farmers Market.  “We will benefit greatly from the resources and guidance from our state-level partners as well as more local collaboration to encourage better nutrition, healthier eating, and promote local foods.

“The timing of this project is especially good given our focus on improving Columbus County low health ranking,” he added.

Other markets participating in the pilot project are located in Carrboro (Orange County), Lexington (Davidson County), Onslow County, Salisbury (Rowan County), Watauga County and Yancey County.

The WIC FMNP provides coupons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women as well as children, ages 3‐4, who participate in the WIC program.  The program was established by the USDA to improve the nutritional status of WIC participants, to stimulate business for the local farmers, and to increase awareness of North Carolina farmers markets.

WIC participants who are eligible for the program receive $24 worth of coupons to redeem at any North Carolina participating farmers market.  Eligibility for the program is determined by the local WIC agency.

Older adults participating in the congregate nutrition program who were self-declared low income (185% poverty level) received $24 worth of coupons to redeem for fresh local produce.  

The Seniors FMNP provides congregate nutrition program participants with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at their local farmers markets. The program is designed to improve the nutritional status of older adults and increase business for local farmers.

The WIC and Seniors FMNP are jointly administered by North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Public Health, and Division of Aging and Adult Services, respectively.

Participants in both programs may purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. They are not allowed to purchase peanuts or other nuts, honey, jelly, jam, eggs, baked goods, plants, flowers, other non‐food items or items not grown by local farmers.

Nutrition education, including informational materials regarding the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, is also provided by the local congregate nutrition program when Senior FMNP coupons are issued at the site and by the local WIC agency.

Informal education is also offered by farmers when recipients are redeeming coupons at the farmers markets.

All North Carolinians may now purchase fresh and nutritious, locally grown food at select North Carolina farmers markets locations with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), debit or credit cards.  The 21st Century Farmers Markets program provides these markets with the electronic equipment, supplies and administration for USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, recipients and others with increased access to locally grown, farm fresh fruits, vegetables and other food products.

For more information about the nutrition program integration project or the Columbus County Community Farmers Market, please visit www.columbuscountyfarmersmarket.com or call (910) 840-6743.

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Kipling Godwin & Associates, Inc., based in Whiteville, North Carolina, is a full-service, professional consulting firm offering a variety of products and services including planning, marketing, and public relations.