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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 2011)
|une'29; 2011 ®1’* ÿ o r tla n ô (Obstruer Page 7 Farmers Markets Break Healthy Food Barriers c o n t i n u e d f r o m front match up to $5 weekly to spend on eligible products through the Fresh Exchange program. “We decided that providing a financial incentive would encour age families to try the Farmer’s mar ket for the first time,” said David Sweet, volunteer and co-founder of Fresh Exchange. “An initial con cern was that farmer’s markets would not be accessible to everyone in the com m unity, and we felt really strongly that it should be.” Created in 2009 by community volunteers, the local nutrition in centive program Fresh Exchange was designed to help Portland fami lies gain access to nutrient rich op tions, which are often expensive at health food stores. After the success of the exchange program at King’s market in north east Portland, Sweet said commu nity members decided to replicate the incentive project at Buckman . . . , . , , xl_ PHOTO BY GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER Market in southeast, combining the Just picked produce from the Winter Green Farm proves a popular choice for healthy eating at the King Farmers Market in northeast two markets under the same match Portland. pro g ram as a way to fu rth er strengthen the local economy and self,” he said. “The program has then you get empty calories.” He explained, however, the re gram have created a tool kit in hopes create a healthier community. significantly increased the partici This program, she said, is a way sponse to the nutrition incentive other markets will follow their lead “This year is the first year we pation of low income families with to address this gap. program has been huge. and implement more community have them together under the same the market, which puts the freshest Sweet said addressing the bar In 2009 at King Market, $ 15,000 match programs at more Portland title,” he said. local fruits and vegetables on the riers and being proactive to elim i worth of fresh produce went out Farmer's markets. The Fresh exchange program, table of their families.” nate them is imperative. “We need into the community. In 2010, how Both Curtin and Sweets encour along with the SNAP program, at Curtin said, although often per to acknow ledge that it’s more ex ever, $55,000 worth of fresh local age everyone to visit a market tempts to bridge the gap for people ceived as more expensive, the mar pensive and difficult to eat a fruits and vegetables went to low nearby. “Come and experience a new who earn too little to meet their basic ket is a place where it makes the most healthy diet, and it takes times income families once the program flavor at the market,” she said. nutrition needs and reduce the bar sense to spend your money. “You and energy to prepare meals with was put into action. “This is also “The market is more than access riers between low income families are doing more than purchasing you whole foods,” he said. “The pro $55,000 in extra revenue for small to food,” he said. “It is a weekly and healthy local food. food,” she said. “You are support gram is part o f a much larger effort farmers,” he said. com m unity celebration, which According to Oregon’s Depart ing local growers and the local to increase food access within this Currently, volunteers and orga should draw people from all over the ment of Human Services, a total of economy, and you are also support c o u n try .” nizers of the Fresh Exchange pro community.” 770,413 Oregonians received SNAP ing the true quest of food.” benefits in the month of April, which She e x p la in e d the produce is an increase of 10 percent from one bought at grocery food stores have year ago. a lot of hidden costs that often a Portland Farmer’s Market, which customer doesn’t see when looking stands as the permit holder for the at the product on shelves. vendors, accepts Oregon Trail The price tag on the farmer’s cards in exchange for tokens, said bunch of carrots, however, is the Anna Curtin, the Education and true cost of what it takes to grow Outreach Specialist for Portland food. Farm er’s Market. The tokens then “We promote eating in season, Truly making a difference in the lives of go to the customers who can spend and when we eat at the height of the Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years. them anywhere in the market to season you get the highest quality, If you or someone you know has been in an accident, purchase SNAP eligible products. most nutritious and freshest pro call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838 “We started accepting SNAP, duce, Which can sometimes be less previously known as food stamps, expensive or even a better deal than in 2005,” she said. Anyone can go to at a grocery store,” Curtin said. We are located on the the majority of the markets in the According to the Federal Depart metro area, including their six loca ment of Health and Human Services, corner o f MLK and Russell tions, and use their government a diet poor in fruits and vegetables Street, on the second floor assisted benefits to buy farm any increases the risk of healthy weight, above the coffee shop. thing but ornamental plants, alco diabetes, heart disease, cancer and hol and hot ready to eat food. other illnesses, and of the lack of Although several matching pro access to healthy foods can have grams, which are funded by govern adverse effect on an individuals’ c ment or individual donors, exist health. li p 1 throughout the Portland area, Sweet “This is a significant public health Pakuia Area * I E R O explained Fresh Exchange is unique issue,” said Sweet, who explained JJ3NE 1’ R u ssell 2 < R amongst them because the program the worst food to consume is pre A survives on funding from vendor sented as the cheapest. C T fees and a small percentage of money Curtin explained that within the C from sponsors and other contribu United States there is a two tier food fc Russell S O l tors. system. “If you have money than IfHAlJ S “It is the community helping it- you can eat well, but if you don’t, Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC Zchon R. Jones, DC 333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212 (503) 284-7838 »
