Christian A. Ray, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com
The Macon County Health Department has received a grant that will supply fresh, healthy produce to local families.
“This initiative is a great example of cross-sector collaboration – linking health, agriculture and social services. It supports both chronic disease prevention and local economic development by investing in regional farms,” said Dr. Jimmy Villiard, population health section administrator. “We’re grateful to The Duke Endowment and our local partners for making this effort possible and hope to continue building on its success.”
Produce Rx
The Produce Rx program in Macon County is funded through a $25,000 allocation from a multi-county grant, which supports similar nutrition initiatives to implement and expand access to healthy foods and promote physical activity in Swain and Jackson counties.
“This grant builds on the success of last year’s pilot in Macon County, which supported 30 families,” Villiard said. “Due to its positive impact, the program was expanded this year to serve 50 families over a 20-week period, with ongoing interest from funders and community partners to sustain and grow the program in future years.”
The program started in June and will continue through October. The Health Department uses the grant funds to purchase produce from H&H Farms in Franklin. CareNet and Macon County Senior Services receive around 25 boxes of fresh produce weekly.
“The produce is distributed in standardized boxes, each valued at $25, containing a balanced selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fifty boxes are distributed weekly, and adjustments to contents are made based on availability,” Villiard said.
Each week, recipients receive a box filled with fresh, seasonal produce sourced from local farmers when possible. Items typically include tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, beans, leafy greens, apples, and other regionally grown fruits and vegetables, depending on seasonal availability.
“These efforts are focused on reaching vulnerable populations in our community, especially those with food insecurity or chronic health conditions,” Villiard said.
CareNet
CareNet Executive Director Tim Hogsed said the produce from the Health Department helps families eat healthier and spend less on groceries. About 25 families received produce boxes each week.
“It’s going to be over and above what they would normally get from us,” Hogsed said. “So, it’s good this time of year to always be able to help families out because it seems power bills are up, grocery costs are up and gas is still close to three dollars a gallon. This is going to help families with their grocery bill and be able to get fresh produce that helps them live healthier lifestyles.”
This is the second year that CareNet has been a distributor for the produce provided from the Health Department. “We received them last year – they were from Darnell Farms. We would receive them and hand them out through the year. We’re getting them earlier in the week, which is helping us to be able to distribute them faster.”
Hogsed said they usually get the boxes on Tuesday mornings, and they are usually all distributed by Wednesday afternoon. The boxes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and can be picked up at CareNet on Bidwell Street.
“The first 25 people that come to us will get those boxes and all we have to do is track who and how many people are in that family for the Health Department data collection,” Hogsed said. “It [the produce] helps people live healthier lifestyles so it’s going to help in the long run a lot, especially with insurance and medical bills. It’s a proven fact that when you supply people with good food, fresh food, illnesses go down and people’s lifestyle is better.”
Macon County Senior Services
Senior Services Director Jennifer Hollifield said, “These produce boxes have provided fresh produce to people who otherwise may not be able to enjoy fresh produce due to a variety of reasons, including cost and inability to garden. These boxes are loaded with a variety of fresh produce from a local farm.”
Hollifield continued, “Having fresh produce available allows these families to experience some new foods, stretch their food budget and enjoy fresh items instead of so much processed foods, which are typically healthier options.”
Hollifield said this is the first year Senior Services has received produce from the grant. “Recipients have been most appreciative of the fresh produce. Many have commented about the squash and zucchini and that they have really enjoyed it and it has allowed them to enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits which they don’t always keep in their homes,” she said.
Hollifield shared this from one of the produce recipients, “Since I have not been able to grow a garden this year, these produce boxes have allowed me to still enjoy fresh vegetables.” She said one of the caregivers commented, “This is a blessing because I am not able to easily go to the grocery store and it enabled us to eat healthier.”