Healthy Food Access Tevis Foreman, MA, Cincinnati Health Department, Creating Healthy Communities Program Debbie Serenius, Nutrition Advantage, LLC. Melissa Carter, Ohio State University, South Centers Julia Hansel, Ohio Department of Health, Creating Healthy Communities Program

Produce Perks Southwest Ohio Produce Perks is a matching incentive program at participating farmers’ markets for fruits & vegetables SW OH Geographical scope (OH) Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Montgomery, Greene, Athens; (KY) Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant Organizational structure Cincinnati Health Dept., Creating Healthy Communities Coalition, Ohio State University Extension, Nutrition Advantage, LLC., Spectrum Labs, OH Dept. of Health Partners: Wholesome Wave, Interact for Health, Cleveland-Cuyahoga Co. Produce Perks, C.A.I.N (Churches Active in Northside), Northern Kentucky Health Dept.

$1 -for - $1 match (up to $10/day) on fruits, vegetables, and edible plants Eligibility (??) –OH Direction Card 2015 Participating markets –Northside FM, College Hill FM, Findlay Market, Findlay Market Farmstands (Price Hill, Walnut Hills, Westwood), Lettuce Eat Well FM, Wyoming Ave. FM, Loveland FM 2014 (pilot year) Total EBT sales: $10,030 Total PP incentives redeemed: $5,528 Total PP incentives distributed: $6,469 Produce Perks Southwest Ohio How it works $1 for $1 match Up to participating market Eligibility Ohio Direction Card 2015: 9 farmers’ markets and 1 CSA

Produce Perks Southwest Ohio In addition to increasing affordability of healthful foods, PP incentives provide economic support for local/regional farmers and retailers. Working to comprehensively enhance our regional food system Pilot year 6 farmers’ markets, 1 county Total EBT sales: $10,030 Total PP incentives redeemed: $5,528 distributed: $6,469 Building support and capacity Market Manager training Ana Bird, PP Market Manager Coordinator Marketing and Promotion Building relationships, educating partners OH JFS, WIC Community Stakeholders Faith-based organizations, Community Rec. Centers Cincinnati Public Schools

OPPORTUNITIES Alternative food access points ~ food system enhancement Produce Perks Southwest Ohio In addition to increasing affordability of healthful foods, PP incentives provide economic support for local/regional farmers and retailers. Working to comprehensively enhance our regional food system.  2015 Produce Perks Harvest Box Our Harvest Cooperative CSA Program  Healthy Food Retail Findlay Market’s DIRT Apple Street Market  Economic support Local economies Local/regional farmers and retailers  State-wide impact Wholesome Wave-FINI Regional food system enhancement

Produce Perks Southwest Ohiohttp:// Scope 2014 Pilot Year = 6 markets, 1 County 2016 Projection = 30/40 markets, 11 Counties Impact Family of 4 making $1500 (net income) would receive $199 in food assistance. If same family spent $10/week at a PP market, would have $239 in food assistance. Increase of 20% Personal stories have been priceless…

Statewide Incentive Program How’d we get here: An Incentive Summit was held in the Spring to determine interest (Many partners and stakeholders involved) Wholesome Wave received a FINI Grant – a 3 year project Ohio sub-awardees are: OSU Extension Cuyahoga County – Produce Perks SID Public Services (Pearl Market) – Veggie SNAPS Cincinnati Health Department for Southwest Ohio – Produce Perks

Statewide Incentive Program What is happening now? 50 + markets are participating this year Markets will track sales, food traffic, and total value of incentives reached Work with Wholesome Wave to develop a statewide network so that Ohio can apply for the next round of funding The future: Ohio will apply for a FINI grant and provide SNAP incentives to the entire state.

Creating Healthy Communities Funded through the CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Vision: Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice

CHC Funded Counties

Ohio’s Plan to Prevent and Reduce Chronic Disease: Healthy Food Access Increasing access to farmers’ markets By 2018, Increase the percent of Ohio farmers’ markets that accept nutrition assistance benefits (EBT/SNAP/WIC)

USDA Studies – Cluster Evaluation The large majority (more than three-fourths) of SNAP recipients reported that they have increased their purchase of produce because of the incentives and that SNAP incentives were a strong factor in their decision to shop at a farmers’ market. SNAP incentives appear to have a positive financial effect on farmers’ market vendors. The majority of vendors (at least 64%) reported that they sell more produce, make more money, and have more customers because of the SNAP incentives.

2015 Farmers’ Market Promotional Opportunity CD Plan strategy: Increase awareness of available nutrition assistance benefits CHC is funding an opportunity to promote markets who accept EBT/SNAP benefits and those that offer incentives Mass Media Print Materials

Contact us: Tevis Foreman Debbie Serenius Melissa Carter Julia Hansel