Public Information 201 Second St., Suite 1100 Macon, GA 31201 Phone: 478-751-6303 Fax: 478-751-6099 June 7, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: Michael Hokanson O: 478-751-6626 C: 478-972-6062 Michael.Hokanson@dph.ga.gov WIC farmer’s markets coming to counties across Central Georgia County Health Departments invite the community to visit MACON – North Central Health District (NCHD) is hosting its annual farmer’s markets for participants of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program at each of the 13 county health departments along with the Felton Homes and Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) WIC Offices in Macon. “We’re always excited to host the WIC Farmer’s Markets across our counties,” said NCHD Nutrition Services Director Nancy Jeffery. “Each one of these events gives our WIC clients an opportunity to receive fresh produce for free at an accessible location. It’s a great chance to try healthy fruits and vegetables that may not normally be available without travelling elsewhere.” This year, four of the markets will be partnering with agencies in order provide fresh foods to seniors and participants of the Head Start program. The markets in Crawford and Wilkinson Counties will work with local senior centers and those in Hancock County and at the Felton Homes WIC Office will pair with the local Head Start programs. “Nutrition and access to healthy foods is important for everyone, no matter their age,” said Jeffery. “Partnering with other organizations creates the chance to serve additional people that may not have reliable access to these fresh fruits and vegetables. Helping people get the foods they need is an essential building block for improving the overall health of our community. Each farmer’s market will offer free fruits and vegetables for WIC participants. Supplies are limited, so the market will operate on a first come, first served basis. WIC participants, or their designated alternates, must bring their WIC ID card to take advantage of these free markets. Attendees of the markets not enrolled in WIC may purchase fresh produce from vendors. NCHD encourages community members to come to one of the following: We Protect Lives. WIC FARMER’S MARKET Page 2 July 2 & 3 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Macon-Bibb County Health Department 171 Emery Highway Macon, GA 31217 July 9 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Twiggs County Health Department 26 Main Street Jeffersonville, GA 31044 July 10 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Crawford County Health Department 141 McCrary Avenue Roberta, GA 31078 Includes Senior Center Farmer’s Market July 16 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Washington County Health Department 201 Morningside Drive Sandersville, GA 31082 July 17 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Wilkinson County Health Department 123 High Hill Street Irwinton, GA 31042 Includes Senior Center Farmer’s Market July 18 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Jasper County Health Department 336 East Greene Street Monticello, GA 31064 July 23 & 24 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Houston County Health Department 98 Cohen Walker Drive Warner Robins, GA 31088 July 25 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Monroe County Health Department 106 Martin Luther King Boulevard Forsyth, GA 31029 We Protect Lives. WIC FARMER’S MARKET Page 3 July 30 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Jones County Health Department 114 Forest Street Gray, GA 31032 July 31 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Peach County Health Department 406 East Church Street Fort Valley, GA 31030 August 1 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Baldwin County Health Department 953 Barrows Ferry Road Milledgeville, GA 31061 August 6 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. DFCS WIC Office 456 Oglethorpe Street Macon, GA 31201 August 7 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Putnam County Health Department 117 Putnam Drive, Suite C Eatonton, GA 31024 August 8 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Hancock County Health Department 516 Boland Street Sparta, GA 31087 Includes Head Start Farmer’s Market August 13 & 14 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Includes Head Start Farmer’s Market Felton Homes WIC Office 150 Sessions Drive Macon, GA 31210 WIC is a nutritional program that provides education, food supplements and referrals to health care providers to eligible women, infants and children. For more information about WIC, including eligibility guidelines, visit NCHD52.org/WIC. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions We Protect Lives. WIC FARMER’S MARKET Page 4 participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider. ### About North Central Health District North Central Health District is a nationally accredited public health provider dedicated to preventing disease, promoting health and protecting Central Georgia communities against health threats through education, service, advocacy and collaboration. NCHD serves people of all classes and economic status within Baldwin, Crawford, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Macon-Bibb, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson Counties. Appointments can be made for certain services. Fees are based on income for those without We Protect Lives. WIC FARMER’S MARKET Page 5 insurance. For more information about NCHD, visit NCHD52.org and follow NCHD on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We Protect Lives.