LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — Fresh produce can be a bit pricey. A program through Lucas County aims to improve access to fruits and vegetables.
Megan Ashenfelter and her 2 and 4 year old children are Lucas County WIC participants. They're looking forward to a new season of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
"It's a lot of fun to go down there so the kids can get introduced to all the fruits and vegetables and see where they come from," Ashenfelter said.
The WIC Farmers Market Program provides a $20 set of coupons for eligible WIC participants. Those coupons are good for locally-grown fruits and vegetables through participating vendors.
"Fresh foods aren't always less expensive. And so we fight that battle in our offices here with families. This is just another way for us to help folks get across that barrier to get access to good food," Lucas County WIC Program Director Clark Allen said.
Clark said that Lucas County WIC distributes about 4,000 sets of coupons, equaling about $90,000, each summer.
"It's a good deal for the farmers too because they have a chance at that 90 thousand, or their little section of it, every single year," Clark said.
Each participant can get a coupon book. So in Ashenfelter's case, mom Megan gets one and each of her children as well, totaling $60 for the family.
"Fresh fruits and vegetables; the prices can add up. So going to the Farmers' Market, I feel like we get a lot for our money," Ashenfelter said.
Ashenfelter said she lets the kids pick some produce that looks good to them. It becomes an experience. She said it also helps when it comes to making healthy decisions for her family at the grocery store.
"You look at the price and how expensive it is and you think, 'Am I going to use it all before it spoils? Is it worth the cost? Or should I go with something that has preservatives that's cheaper and lasts longer?'' Ashenfelter said.
Coupons will be available beginning Monday, July 22 and are first come, first-served. You can get them at any Lucas County WIC office. Just bring your ID or WIC card.