Staff from the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) were on hand on at the HealthFirst Family Care Center on July 22, 2016 to distribute Farmers Market Coupons to eligible recipients. WIC participants were in line early in the morning to get over 500 sets of free coupons. Participants were offered samples of fresh vegetables and were invited to return to watch one of several cooking demonstrations by the WIC staff in the classroom. "Cooking demonstrations are just one of the many educational opportunities we offer program participants," commented Community Outreach Coordinator Lisa Alves. The program provides women and children in the Federal Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and elders with coupons redeemable at farmers markets for fresh fruits and vegetables. WIC participants receive these nutrition benefits in addition to the regular WIC food package. Local farmers are reimbursed for the face value of the coupons, thereby enhancing earnings and supporting participation in farmers markets. Click here for a two-minute video of the event. For more information about the WIC Program, contact Lisa Alves at 508-679-9349.

(Top row) Nutritionist Louise Johnson hands out coupons along with lists of local farmers' markets as well as recipes. (Row thee) Nutrition Breastfeed Counselor Remy Farias and Program Assistant Rita Demarais hand out samples of vegetables and pita-bread chips. (Bottom row) Nutritionist Lori Andrade signs more moms up for the coupons.