Environmental Strategies to Increase Access to Affordable Produce An Intervention of the New York State Eat Well Play Hard Community Projects

Laying a Firm Foundation Key childhood obesity prevention initiative of NYS DOH Initiated in 1997 Integrated philosophy into all programs

Laying a Firm Foundation Currently 15 EWPH Community Projects Goal: To coordinate community based resources to establish coalitions and partnerships, leading to sustained environmental and policy changes to reduce risks for chronic diseases beginning in the preschool period.

Creating Environmental Change Increasing access to & utilization of Farmers’ Markets Securing & utilizing EBT devices at Farmers’ Markets Utilizing EBT devices in CSAs Facilitating Farm to Child Care Initiatives Facilitating Farm to School Initiatives

INCREASING ACCESS TO FARMERS’ MARKETS Delaware County

WIC Benefit Utilization Delaware County 2009 Open Weekly 5 vendors WIC Vegetable & Fruit Checks accepted Sales expected to increase Sponsoring organizations 2008 Open 2 days/month 2 vendors Farmers’ Market Coupons accepted 6.4% increase in FMNP redemption Farmers’ Market promotion funding Match funding

WIC Benefit Utilization Delaware County Instrumental Partner Organizations NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Delaware Opportunities WIC Program Delaware County Office for the Aging Fairbanks Pharmacy Wilber Bank (Walton Branch) Cornell Cooperative Extensions

Onondaga & Madison Counties SECURING & UTILIZING EBT DEVICES AT FARMERS’ MARKETS

2006 Monthly (Jul-Aug) 2 farmers Farmers’ Market Checks accepted 2008 Weekly (Jun-Oct) 22% increase in overall sales Farmers’ Market Usage Onondaga County 2007 Weekly (Jul-Aug) Farm Fresh Mobile Market Food Stamp Benefits (EBT) accepted 730% increase in overall sales 2009 Weekly (Jun-Oct) WIC Vegetable & Fruit Checks accepted

Type Value of FMNP Checks$376$2,562$2,738 Value of Food Stamps (EBT)N/A$25$270 Cash Purchase$25$741$1,045 TOTAL$401$3,328$4,053 Farmers’ Market Usage… Onondaga County

Instrumental Partner Organizations Onondaga County WIC Program Farm Fresh Mobile Market Regional Farmers’ Market The Gifford Foundation Syracuse Healthy Start Farmers’ Market Usage Onondaga County

Food Stamp (EBT) Utilization Madison County 2007 Promotional events strengthened relationships & increased attendance Farmers’ Market Checks accepted 4.0% decrease in FMNP redemption 2008 Open Weekly (Jun-Oct) Food Stamps (EBT) accepted Credit & Debit Cards accepted 4.3% increase in FMNP redemption

Food Stamp (EBT) Utilization Madison County Instrumental Partner Organizations Department of Social Services Community Action Program Eat Smart New York WIC Just Say Yes to Fruits & Vegetables Madison County Health Department Cornell Cooperative Extension Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce Farmers’ Market Federation

Keys to Successful Farmers’ Market Initiatives Identify & Address Key Barriers Perception that fresh produce is ‘expensive’ Lack of quality & selection of fresh produce Lack of transportation Collaboration High Traffic Locations Promotion & Marketing Incentives Persistent & Enthusiastic Market Manager Dependable Volunteers

IMPLEMENTING CSA FARM EXPRESS INITIATIVES St. Lawrence County

CSA Farm Express St. Lawrence County 2009 CSA benefits to low-income families Repayment of membership fee with EBT benefits Impact 4 CSA farms 15 families participating

Start small! Collaborate with strong partner organizations Provide adequate training for CSA farmers Financial stability CSA Farm Express Keys to Success

FACILITATING FARM TO SCHOOL INITIATIVES Jefferson & Wayne Counties

Farm to School Initiative Jefferson County Collaborative Partnership Success Direct purchase Cost = Open Market Rate directly to farmers Impact >6,000 pounds of local produce purchased >4,500 children exposed to fresh locally grown produce in school

Farm to School: Harvest Week Wayne County Collaborative Partnership Success 10 school districts Bushel of produce each day from local farmers Purchased through local distributor Impact 50 bushels of local produce purchased >8,000 children exposed to fresh locally grown produce in school

Keys to Successful Farm to School Initiatives Identify & Address Key Barriers Lack of Administrative Support Lack of funding Inadequate production from local farmers Commitment of School Food Service Directors Collaboration with key partners Persistence in solicitation of farmers Communication Promotion Curriculum integration

FACILITATING FARM TO CHILD CARE INITIATIVES Schenectady County

Farm to Child Care Schenectady County Successful collaboration with the CDCG Veggie Mobile Opportunity knocks… Mutual goals February 2008 Pilot Expansion into 3 additional child care centers Serving over 275 underserved children

Keys to Successful Farm to Child Care Initiatives Identify Barriers Cost, Storage, Delivery Identify ways to overcome barriers Facilitate the process Assist programs in obtaining resources Collaborate with successful programs Identify opportunities Start small!

Questions? For more information, please contact: Lisa A. Sweet, RD, CDN Public Health Nutritionist NYS Department of Health