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Lucas County WIC Leads Ohio In Farmers' Market Coupon Redemption
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Lucas County WIC Leads Ohio In Farmers' Market Coupon Redemption
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The Lucas County Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), administered
through the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, had more Farmers’ Market
Coupons distributed and redeemed than any other county in Ohio in 2005.
Lucas County distributed 21.5% of all Farmers' Market coupons and accounted
for 22.7% of all coupons redeemed in Ohio. Over 28,000 Farmers' Market
Coupons were redeemed in Lucas County, generating over $84,000 for local
farmers. Further, Lucas County had over twice the number of coupons
distributed and redeemed than the second largest county, Franklin.
“Lucas County WIC continues to be the leading Farmer’s Market project in
Ohio and breaks Ohio records every year,” stated Tom Kuhn, Lucas County
WIC Director. “This is an excellent way for WIC Participants to try a
variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and develop healthy eating habits.
The local farm economy benefits as well.”
WIC Dietitian Clark Allen added, “Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of
vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals and should be a mainstay in every
household in Lucas County. These types of foods can help to ‘fill the gaps’
in regards to overall nutritional adequacy and have been shown to decrease
the incidence of some types of chronic disease.”
The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) provide funds for the
operation of the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. This program is
intended for Lucas County WIC Participants who are pregnant, breastfeeding,
postpartum or have children ages 1 to 5. Coupons are good for locally grown
fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from WIC approved farmers at locations
such as the Toledo Farmers' Market and area farm stands. WIC Farmers'
Market coupons will be distributed again in July for the 2006 season.
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