FOOD For Lane County’s Community Garden Exchange
Summer food means fun, right? Barbeques, picnics, leisurely dinners in the outdoors. But for many in our community — those struggling with food insecurity issues — summer can mean a long spell with little or no support. Fortunately, a network of vital local community programs helps to fill the need.
One innovative program puts the community in community gardens.
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“At our Youth Farm, we have two produce stands in North Springfield (one at the farm on Flamingo Avenue, and the other at the Riverbend hospital) where we accept SNAP [Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program] benefits and match up to $10, and we accept Farm Direct Nutrition Program Vouchers for seniors and WIC [Women, Infants and Children] families and match up to $4,” says Jen Anonia, FOOD For Lane County’s Gardens program manager.
“New this year, PeaceHealth is sponsoring our matching programs,” Anonia says. “And we also partner with the statewide Double-Up Food Bucks Program, through the Farmers Market Fund, to offer the $10 match to SNAP customers.”
By Rachael Carnes, Eugene Weekly