With no public transportation, many families who are eligible for federal aid for fresh produce often can?t make it to Carroll?s three summertime farmers? markets.
But a one-day farmer?s market has boosted the rates at which families redeem these coupons at fruit and vegetable stands, said Lynne Piper, coordinator of the county?s Womens Infants and Children program, on Monday.
At the “one-stop shop,” vendors sell their produce in the parking lot of the county health department building on Center Street in Westminster the same day the coupons are distributed, WIC office clerk Donna Cangelosi said.
Statewide, an average of 60 percent of the people who purchase the $18 farmer?s market coupons redeem them, said Jim Crebs, a Westminster farmer who grows tomatoes, watermelons and squash.
He has set up a stand at the WIC market the past two years and is considering doing it again this summer.
Piper said the market allows a greater opportunity for people to redeem the coupons, but she couldn?t provide specific numbers on how many people in Carroll buy coupons without redeeming them.
“Eighteen dollars doesn?t sound like it could get you a lot, but you can buy several bags of vegetables with that,” she said.
She estimated that more than 200 people shopped at the farmer?s market last year.
“The turn out was fair [last year], but is low compared to the people who are supposedly getting [coupons],” Crebs said.
Gabe Zepp, county agriculture developmentspecialist, said he is looking for fruit and vegetable growers to participate in the third annual event, scheduled for July 10.
