A Nickerson Vermont Farmer Market

Vermont Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: 

Vermont Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Amy Nickerson, MS, RD, CD Vermont Department of Aging & Disabilities

Vermont Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program : 

Vermont Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program 2001 Pilot Project had 2 components: Senior Farmers’ Market Coupons Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm Shares

Vermont Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: 

Vermont Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program 2001 Pilot: Lead Agency: VT Dept of Agriculture Partners: Northeast Organic Farming Association of VT University of Vermont Extension Vermont Dept of Aging & Disabilities Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity 3 of 5 Vermont Area Agencies on Aging Community Action Agencies

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot (Participant): 

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot (Participant) 30% had never been to FM before 85% ate more fresh fruit/veg 87% plan to eat more f/v year-round 53% learned new way to cook fresh f/v 72% will continue to shop @ FM, even without coupons 75% spent additional $$ @ FM

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Farmer Eval.: 

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Farmer Eval. 79% redemption rate (WIC rate: 68%) 52% reported > # seniors visited FM 97% accepted senior coupons 61% reported > FM produce sales b/c of new “senior” coupons All farmers agreed that the extra effort required to participate was worth it

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Participant Eval.: 

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Participant Eval. 59/77 expressed appreciation 6/77 said quality of produce was high 6/77 said program makes fresh produce affordable 6/77 felt prices at markets were too high 4/77 felt FM was too crowded/inaccessible

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Participant Eval.: 

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Participant Eval. Try to make coupons available for people without transportation. This is my first time ever going to a FM. It’s great but I couldn't afford it all the time. I love the coupon program. Without the coupons, I couldn’t afford the fruit & vegetables that I would like to buy.

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Participant Eval.: 

Farmers’ Market Coupons: 2001 Pilot, Participant Eval. I think the coupons are great. They allow me to eat a lot more vegetables and to can a few for my use in the later days. I am able to have more fruits and vegetables by having the coupons. This is a wonderful program for ensuring that folks on limited incomes are able to get the many fresh summer vegetables available in VT.

2001 CSA Evaluations: 

2001 CSA Evaluations

2001 CSA Evaluations: 

2001 CSA Evaluations

2001 CSA Evaluations: 

2001 CSA Evaluations

2001 CSA Evaluations: 

2001 CSA Evaluations

2001 CSA Evaluation: 

2001 CSA Evaluation

2001 CSA Evaluations: 

2001 CSA Evaluations

SFMNP 2002: Administration: 

SFMNP 2002: Administration Lead agency: VT Dept of Aging & Disabilities Lead partners: VT Office of Economic Opportunity Northeast Organic Farming Association of VT University of Vermont Extension VT Department of Agriculture

SFMNP 2002: Administration: 

SFMNP 2002: Administration Important partners: 5 Area Agencies on Aging Vermont HASS Coordinators Vermont Resident Service Coordinators Local Community Action Agencies

SFMNP 2002: Eligibility : 

SFMNP 2002: Eligibility Farmers’ Market Coupons: Signed declaration that income at or below 185% poverty level CSA Farm Shares: Must reside in income eligible housing facility Resident Service Coordinator verifies that all residents eligible

SFMNP 2002: Distribution of Funds: 

SFMNP 2002: Distribution of Funds Farmers’ Market Coupons: 980 seniors to receive $20 worth of coupons # elderly households served by non-WIC state funded coupons (over the last several years) and SFMNP Pilot 2001 Locations of & anticipated produce volume for the 34 Farmers’ Markets participating in 2002 Past coupon redemption rate by local Community Action Agencies Coupon distribution can change during season

SFMNP 2002: Distribution of Funds: 

SFMNP 2002: Distribution of Funds CSA Farm Shares: 250 seniors to receive $100 share RFP developed & sent out to income-eligible housing facilities statewide Competitive selection based on 5 criteria Housing facilities matched with nearby CSA Farms based on availability of shares

SFMNP 2002: CSA Farm Share Criteria Determining Award: 

SFMNP 2002: CSA Farm Share Criteria Determining Award Proximity to CSA Farm Service coordination # eligible participants Availability of transportation Community kitchen and dining area

SFMNP 2002: Nutrition Education: 

SFMNP 2002: Nutrition Education CSA Farm Share Component June UVM Extension Nutrition Specialist @ orientation meeting at housing site with farmer Participants complete pre-program questions (relating to fruit/vegetable/nutrition knowledge and behavior) July/August/September On-site meal and nutrition education with UVM Extension Nutrition Specialist October Post-test

SFMNP 2002: Evaluation: 

SFMNP 2002: Evaluation VT Dept of Aging & Disabilities UVM Extension CSA farmers (telephone) CSA Farm Share recipients (written) VT Office of Economic Opportunity Farmers’ Market farmers (informal conversation) Farmers’ Market participants (written)