Oakland County residents who participate in the State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card; Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Project FRESH; and Senior Market FRESH programs will receive $5 coupons to purchase fresh produce during Family Market Day at the Oakland County Farmers Market in Waterford this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, organized by Oakland County Health Division and Healthy Oakland Partnership, is located at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road.
"Family Market Day is an opportunity for Oakland County families on food assistance programs to purchase fresh produce from local farmers," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "Farmers markets are a great source of nutritious and affordable fruits and vegetables."
Those who make a Bridge/EBT card purchase at Family Market Day will receive an additional $5 coupon for fresh fruits and vegetables. Coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Oakland County Farmers Market also participates in "Double Up Food Bucks," a Fair Food Network program which matches money spent at a farmers market using a Bridge/EBT card up to $20. Participates can buy any SNAP-eligible foods at the market with their Bridge Card dollars. That dollar amount spent will be matched automatically with free Double Up Food Bucks up to $20 that can be used right away or later on to buy Michigan grown fruits & vegetables.
Family Market Day includes prizes, yoga, karate, fun activities for children, free recipe samples, and health screenings. Inflatable bouncers will also be on-site, so bring socks for the kids so they can get active.
"Healthy Oakland Partnership works closely with the Oakland County Farmers Market to plan special events like Family Market Day to promote healthy eating," said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County. "These events support the use of Bridge/EBT cards at the market to give families greater access to healthier foods."
Family Market Day is sponsored by St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Genisys Credit Union, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, and Beaumont Health. For additional information, visit www.oakgov.com/health and follow @publichealthOC on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Published: Fri, Aug 25, 2017
