Project Grant 23FMPPPA1172

THE FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (FMNP) AND SENIOR-FMNP PROVIDE WIC RECIPIENTS AND LOW-INCOME SENIORS ACCESS TO FRESH, LOCALLY GROWN FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND HERBS FROM PARTICIPATING FARMERS. RESEARCH HAS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO POOR FMNP BENEFIT UTILIZATION AND UNDER-PARTICIPATION BY LOCAL FARMERS. WITH INCREASED INVESTMENTS FOR FMNP PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA, AN EVEN GREATER NEED EXISTS TO DECREASE BARRIERS FOR CUSTOMERS LEADING TO FULL BENEFIT ALLOTMENT UTILIZATION WHILE MAXIMIZING POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON PARTICIPATING FARMERS BY ELIMINATING ADDED BURDENS. ADDITIONALLY, THE SIGNIFICANT VETERAN POPULATION IN PENNSYLVANIA PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLEMENT THE PA PREFERRED HOMEGROWN BY HEROES PROGRAM BY PILOTING A FARMERS MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAM BENEFITTING BOTH PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS.RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL MARKET ACCESS POINTS TO REDUCE BARRIERS FOR FMNP PROGRAM RECIPIENTS AND VETERANS TO REDEEM CHECKS, ADAGIO HEALTH AIMS TO CONDUCT REDEMPTION TRENDS AND MARKET ANALYSES, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, AND FARMER FOCUS GROUPS TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN ACCESS, VIABILITY OF OPERATING POP-UP MARKETS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA, AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION WHILE ENHANCING EXISTING ADAGIO HEALTH MARKET OPERATIONS AND PILOTING A VOUCHER TO VETERANS PROGRAM. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT, AND REPLICABLE MARKETING PROMOTION PLANS WILL BE DEVELOPED FROM THE RESULTS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THESE EFFORTS.EAT FARM FRESH PA FOCUSES ON BENEFITING PRODUCE FARMERS, VETERANS IN AGRICULTURE, AND LOW-INCOME, HIGH-RISK POPULATION INDIVIDUALS (SENIORS, VETERANS, PREGNANT POSTPARTUM BREASTFEEDING MOMS, YOUNG CHILDREN). PROJECT OUTCOMES INCLUDE ENHANCED REVENUE STREAMS FOR PRODUCE FARMERS, IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS WITH MINIMAL TIME-COST BURDEN TO PRODUCERS, PROMOTION OF PA PREFERRED HOMEGROWN BY HEROES PROGRAM AND INCREASED ACCESS TO FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE.