The Adams County Food Policy Council (ACFPC), an affiliate of Healthy Adams County, and Kennie’s Marketplace, continue to work together to offer the Fruit and Veggie Bucks program for Adams County residents who utilize assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Each year more than 300 individuals and families benefit from the program.
The Fruit and Veggie Bucks program was originally funded by a USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant awarded to South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) and administered by the Adams County Food Policy Council. In 2019, Healthy Adams County received a grant from the Gettysburg Hospital Foundation to continue the important program and the program’s funding has been renewed for 2020.
“The goal of Fruit and Veggie Bucks is to assist Adams County residents who receive SNAP assistance with purchasing additional fresh fruits and vegetables and encourage healthier eating,” said Kathy Gaskin, executive director of Healthy Adams County.
Surveys conducted over the past three years show that, prior to participation in the program, the largest barriers to consuming fresh produce were the high expense of items, the lack of time to prepare or cook them, and the reluctance and refusal of kids to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. The post-surveys found that Fruit and Veggie Bucks has positively impacted these barriers and allowed participants to purchase and consume more and different types of fruits and vegetables.
Prior to participation in the Fruit and Veggie Bucks program 16 percent of participants reported eating less than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily; this number increased to 36 percent post-participation.
“We are excited to be entering our fourth year of being connected to this program,” said Nathaniel Brusby, manager of Kennie’s Marketplace in Gettysburg. “It’s a great way to encourage and promote healthy eating in our community. We have families that look forward to the start of this program every year for the opportunity to save money and assist them in preparing well-rounded and healthy meals.”
SNAP recipients are welcomed to sign up for the program between now and January 30. Sign-up locations include the customer service desks at the Gettysburg or Biglerville Kennie’s Marketplace locations, or at SCCAP’s food pantry in Gettysburg. The program provides a 50 percent discount on the five highest-priced fruits and vegetables purchased daily between January 6 and April 30.
For additional information on Fruit and Veggie Bucks, please contact Kathy Gaskin, executive director, Healthy Adams County at (717) 337-4137.