June 15, 2009
Fresh Garden Vegetables
Farmer's Market Program-New For Summer 2009
The Alaska Farmers' Market Program introduces WIC participants to locally-grown produce.
Funded by the US Dept. of Agriculture and the State of Alaska, the program helps Alaska's economy by bringing new customers to Alaskan farmers who sell their products directly to consumers.
WIC participants age 8 months and older who are enrolled in the WIC Program anytime from June 1 to September 30 are eligible for the program.
How does it work?
Each eligible person receives five coupons worth $5 each. Coupons can only be used to buy Alaskan-grown produce at authorized Farmers' Markets and farm stands. Farmers must provide the full amount of the value of each coupon. They cannot give you change for your coupons. You cannot use the coupons at a grocery store. You can use one coupon at a time or all five at once.
To obtain coupons, go to the Bethel WIC Office in the hospital's west wing office building. All your coupons for the summer will be printed at one time. If you live in a village you may leave some coupons at WIC to pick when you return to Bethel so you won't lose them. They cannot be reprinted.
You can pick up produce at the Bethel WIC Office on Mondays or Fridays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Our farmer, Tim Meyers, will have fresh produce at those times. If you come to WIC on a different date and time there may be produce available but we cannot guarantee it.
What produce is available?
The season starts in June with potatoes and lettuce. As the growing season progresses there will be radishes, turnips, spinach and Chinese cabbage with new foods to try each month.
Your WIC agency will provide information on the nutritional value, methods of storage and recipes when you get your coupons. You can also ask farmers for tips when you redeem your coupons.
