|une'29; 2011
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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
.
. . ,
.
,
,
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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.
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throughout the Portland area, Sweet
“This is a significant public health
Pakuia Area
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explained Fresh Exchange is unique issue,” said Sweet, who explained
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amongst them because the program the worst food to consume is pre
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survives on funding from vendor sented as the cheapest.
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fees and a small percentage of money
Curtin explained that within the
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from sponsors and other contribu United States there is a two tier food
fc
Russell S
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tors.
system. “If you have money than
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“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
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