CHILLICOTHE – Adena Health System has partnered with the Chillicothe Farmers Market to continue our vision of creating healthy, thriving communities. Through this relationship Adena Community Health has made it possible for more families in our community to access healthy locally grown food.
Those who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are encouraged to bring their Ohio Direction card to the Chillicothe Farmers Market and they will be eligible to scan at least $10 in Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) tokens and also receive additional $10 in Fruit and Veggies Perks tokens.
“After completing the 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment, we discovered there was a high demand for nutrition information and resources,” said Kim Jones, Director of Community Health Outreach.
“The goal of this program is to assist with eliminating the cost barriers of healthy eating and hopefully drive people to a new place, where they can get these healthy food options, while also promoting and supporting healthy eating and local business.”
This year, Adena Dieticians have also created healthy recipe cookbooks that include meals with ingredients available at the farmer’s market.
“We are giving the community not only the resources, but giving them information on how to prepare the food is just as important.”
In addition to this offer, Adena is also offering a $15 “Fresh Food Rx” for those with chronic illness and in need of financial support.
“Patents in need will be given a Fresh Food Rx coupon from their physician or nurse navigator, which can be exchanged for tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the market,” added Jones. “This is our way of supporting those patients with chronic diseases and illnesses, who may not qualify for SNAP, but still need some extra support.”
The Chillicothe Famer’s Market is located in the parking lot of the Ross County Service Center, 475 Western Avenue and is open every Saturday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. May – October. To receive tokens, participants need to bring their Ohio Direction Card to the market tent the day of the event.
For more about Adena Health System and its services, visit adena.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
