Dear Farmers, Community Health Agencies, WIC Agencies, Farmers, Market
Masters, MSU-Extension, and Recipients,
Project FRESH (Farm Resources Expanding and Supporting Health) has
grown over the decades into a program which helps local economies by providing
income to farmers, and giving access to amazing produce to our mothers,
children, and seniors. We are holding five regional meetings to facilitate
dialog on how everybody involved in Project FRESH can increase the redemption
rates and visibility of the program.
The Meetings are as follows:
We hope to increase the visibility and redemption of the program by
bringing together all those involved to begin a constructive dialog directed by
two questions: how do we raise our redemption rates further, and how do we
increase the visibility of the program.
Two simple questions which have proven extremely difficult to address
by any one person is exactly why we need you to voice your concerns, your
philosophies, and your history to what methods have worked, are feasible, or
what needs to happen in order to keep this program successful.
Hopefully, you might meet those who are in the position to assist you
in the ways that you cannot assist yourself. We are all interconnected in
this program, and we need to start discussing it beginning now, and
establishing contacts to continue throughout the year.
Attached are five invitations for five regional meetings. Attend
as many as you want: just RSVP!
For more information either contact me or Teresa Johnson ([log in to unmask]), or visit http://www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu/
under “What’s Happening’ on the left hand side for agendas of
each individual meeting.
If you are not familiar with project FRESH here is a little overview of
the program: Project FRESH (Farm Resources Expanding and Supporting Health) is
a program that makes fresh produce available to low-income,
nutritionally-at-risk consumers and also supports Michigan farmers. It
expands the awareness and use of farmers markets in addition to increasing
sales at the markets. The Michigan Department of Community Health WIC Division,
Michigan State University Extension and the United States Department of
Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service jointly administer the program.
Project FRESH receives federal funds, local funds, private grants and WIC
program income from vendor fines.
Thank you very much, and I hope to see you there.
Micah Manikas
416 Agriculture Hall
(517) 432-3387