Project Grant 20197003030410

THE FORSYTH FARMERS MARKET'S (FFM) PLANS TO INTRODUCE THE CHATHAM COUNTY PRODUCE FOR HEALTH PROJECT WITH GUSNIP PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION FUNDING. CURRENTLY, FFM'S FARM TRUCK 912 IS A MOBILE FARMERS' MARKET THAT BRINGS LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE TO CHATHAM COUNTY'S PRIMARILY AFRICAN-AMERICAN, LOW INCOME, LOW FOOD ACCESS NEIGHBORHOODS. FARM TRUCK 912 OWES IT SUCCESS TO ITS FIVE-YEAR TRACK RECORD OF WORKING WITH NEIGHBORHOOD INSTITUTIONS OFFERING COOKING CLASSES, HEALTH SCREENINGS, AND OTHER PROGRAMS.TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM, FFM WILL PARTNER WITH FOUR HEALTH CARE CLINICS FOR THE PROJECT. THE PROGRAM WILL SERVE 200 PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES EACH YEAR. ANNUALLY, THE PROGRAM WILL RUN FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER SO THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE, TASTE AND USE ALMOST ALL PRODUCE GROWN IN THIS REGION. EACH MONTH, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COME IN FOR A BRIEF HEALTH SCREENING THAT WILL INCLUDE WEIGHT AND BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS ALONG WITH OTHER SELF-REPORTED STATISTICS AND ATTEND AN HOUR-LONG INTERACTIVE NUTRITION CLASS LED BY A CONTRACTED DIETITIAN. THIS WILL INCLUDE A COOKING DEMO WITH NUTRITION INFORMATION AND TIPS FOR HAVING A HEALTHY DIALOGUE AROUND FOOD IN THE HOME. THE COOKING DEMO WILL FEATURE SEASONAL PRODUCE THAT CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE FARMERS' MARKET THAT MONTH. PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRESCRIPTION VOUCHERS AFTER ATTENDING EACH CLASS SESSION. THE DIETITIAN WILL TEACH PARTICIPANTS TO READ NUTRITION LABELS AND TO IDENTIFY SERVING SIZES. THE CLASSES WILL CONCLUDE WITH AN OPEN DISCUSSION WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPRESS CONCERNS OR OFFER OBSERVATIONS. FARM TRUCK 912 WILL MAKE STOPS AT EACH CLINIC AFTER THE MONTHLY CLASS SO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN SHOP IMMEDIATELY. DURING THE REST OF THE MONTH, PATIENTS CAN SHOP AT THE SATURDAY FFM MARKET AND AT ANY OF THE FARM TRUCK 912'S DAILY STOPS. PATIENTS WILL BE SCREENED FOR FOOD INSECURITY AND, IF NEEDED, AIDED WITH SNAP AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES ENROLLMENT, AND REFERRED TO COMMUNITY FOOD RESOURCES.THIS PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE GUSNIP PPR OBJECTIVES; 1) THE IMPROVEMENT OF DIETARY HEALTH THROUGH INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES; 2) THE REDUCTION OF INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY; AND 3) THE REDUCTION IN HEALTHCARE UTILIZATION AND COSTS. THE PROJECT WILL PERFORM A RIGOROUS EVALUATION WITH PARTICIPANT, PARTNER, AND COMMUNITY INPUT. IT WILL PARTICIPATE IN ALL GUSNIP PPR EVALUATION ACTIVITIES. THAT IS CURRENTLY THROUGH THEGUSNIP NTAE CENTER. WE WILL PROVIDE THE GUSNIP NTAE CENTER WITH BOTH MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY DATA.THE PROJECT WILL SERVE 600 PARTICIPANTS AND 840 FAMILY MEMBERS.