Healthy harvests abound at Pennsylvania farmers’ markets

Farmers have been sharing their harvests with neighbors in the commonwealth since the days when William Penn first called Pennsylvania home. Today, there are more reasons than ever to buy fresh local produce. That bounty benefits the people, communities and planet crucial to our physical and environmental health.
Some people are especially interested in buying the nearby food that helps save the fuel and reduce the pollution generated by shipping food from afar. Others are motivated by the knowledge that the money they pay for Pennsylvania produce stays close to home to nourish our state’s economy. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture supports this homegrown purchasing through its PA Preferred program which promotes products grown or made in Pennsylvania. Now, shoppers focused solely on serving the needs of their families can enjoy fresher, better tasting, and healthier food from Pennsylvania’s local farmers.
A program launched last year and funded by the nation’s 2014 Farm Bill aims to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in “SNAP,” the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program is funding small pilot projects, multi-year community programs, and multi-year, large-scale initiatives as part of this campaign. (Many of the hardworking Pennsylvanians employed on farms producing fresh SNAP produce are just the type of workers who may now qualify for HealthChoices coverage).
The SNAP program tied to FINI helps put food on the table for millions of underprivileged Americans. More than 60 percent of SNAP participants are children, elderly, or disabled individuals. SNAP benefits are designed as temporary aids to help feed those experiencing hardships, with new applicants averaging 12 months use of the program.  
Pennsylvania’s rich farmlands make it ground zero for a new wave of healthy eating.   Pilot Projects Take Root in Southeastern Pennsylvania 
Pennsylvania is fortunate to be one of 26 states funded for this project. Four FINI programs have been launched in the southeastern section of the state. Following is an overview of those initiatives. All feature benefits specifically designed to let SNAP users eat fresh while stretching their benefits’ buying power.
Finding the most convenient and healthy locations to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits just became easier for Pennsylvania’s SNAP customers. “SnapFresh” is a mobile app that puts users’ cell phones to work locating the local fresh foods that are a good fit for all budgets. The app is available in Spanish, Chinese (Simplified) and English, and works not only on smart phones, but any phone that has mobile web access or the ability to send and receive text messages. Sending a simple text message lists the names and addresses of nearby retailers who accept SNAP benefits. The app can support healthy food choices by identifying the type of retailer (such as grocery stores) found. The same info can be found on the snapfresh.org website. iPhone users can also download the app for free from the iTunes store. 
Keeping costs low can still be a challenge when it comes time to turn those groceries into meals. That was the inspiration for Good and Cheap, a cookbook specifically designed for those in the SNAP program. The free PDF version of this $4 a day meal planner is available on author Leanne Brown’s website (leannebrown.com).
The recipes in the book center on the fresh fruits and vegetables that can play a key role in the diets that are the best chance for long-term health. The numbers tell the story of how successful Brown’s efforts have been to turn her recipes into the hearty meals that allow everyone to enjoy the rich flavors and nutritional benefits of fresh, whole foods. Share the link or print out a copy for your community members, and you’ll be another of the more than 800,000 downloaders who have proven this resource to be a success.
To apply for SNAP, visit COMPASS.state.pa.us. For more information, visit HealthChoicesPA.com  or call 1-866-550-4355.  
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Harrisburg, Pa.