For Immediate Release August 24, 2009

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

St. John’s Hospital, Sangamon County Public Health and local farmers provide incentive for WIC clients to “buy local, eat fresh”

SPRINGFIELD – St. John’s Hospital and the Sangamon County Department of Public Health are teaming up with local farmers to offer WIC (Women, Infants and Children) clients access to free produce.  The initiative is designed to encourage greater participation in a program that provides a free $15 voucher for WIC clients to buy produce at either the Old Capitol Farmers’ Market or Illinois Products Farmer’s Market in Springfield.

Starting September 2, WIC clients in Sangamon County will have the opportunity to receive a free bag of locally grown fruits and vegetables once a week.  The fresh produce will be made available at one of the Sangamon County Public Health Department’s two Springfield locations.  St. John’s is working with 12 area farmers to provide 100 bags of locally grown fruits and vegetables each week from September 2 through October 8.

“Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is essential to good health.  While farmers’ markets are growing in popularity, we want to encourage our WIC families to visit our local markets and incorporate fresh produce into their meals,” said Teri Brusnighan, RD, WIC coordinator, Sangamon County Department of Public Health.

WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.  Last year the Sangamon County Public Health Department began offering farmers’ market vouchers to WIC clients, but found only about half of those who received them actually redeemed them.

“Although shopping at the farmers’ market requires an extra stop, the nutritional value from produce grown locally is well worth the effort.  By bringing produce to WIC clients, we hope to encourage more participation in the farmers’ market voucher program while giving them greater access to fruits and vegetables they can share with their families,” said Diana Weyhenmeyer, RN, Community Outreach Educator, St. John’s Hospital.

The Sangamon County Public Health Department is currently signing up participants for the opportunity to receive the free produce, which will be made available from 4 – 5 p.m. at the East Jefferson facility on September 2, 16 and 30; and from 4 – 5 p.m. at the North Dirksen facility on September 10, 24 and October 8.

For more information about eligibility for the free produce program, please contact Teri Brusnighan at 535-3100, ext. 223.