POCATELLO– Institute of Rural Health (IRH) has received a grant to help seniors and youth expand their access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and vegetable plant starts from local Idaho farmers.
The $75,500 grant from Idaho Physical Activity and Nutrition’s Program at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will allow the Institute of Rural Health to leverage expertise and relationships to help implement a Farmers Market Produce Program. The IRH has selected three different farmers markets to pilot this program. Each participant will receive a voucher book worth $50 that they can use to purchase fresh vegetable and fruit. Each voucher in the book is worth $5. Vouchers will be distributed at health education classes and partnering organizations across Idaho.
The IRH will work with three farmers markets- Portneuf Valley Farmers Market in Pocatello, West Bench Farmers Market in Boise, and The Farmers Market at Sandpoint in Sandpoint. Participating vendors are local farmers who sell their produce and plant starts at the local farmers market one to two times per week. These vouchers will not only help Idahoans increase their access to healthy food options, but it will support Idaho farmers as well…