For those who live in food deserts — low-income areas without easy access or transportation to supermarkets and the affordable fruit and vegetable options they offer — it can be tough to consistently get healthy meals on the table.
A few of these underserved areas in Fulton County will have a little help this month, as a result of the annual Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) farmers market and nutrition program.
The program offers free food vouchers for WIC recipients, but local residents can also purchase produce at cost, according to the Fulton County Department of Health & Wellness. The county has been allotted 1,500 nutrition voucher to give out. (That’s 200 more than last year.)
To be eligible for the food vouchers, WIC candidates must call the health center where they receive WIC services and register for a free 30-minute class on healthy eating.
After the class is completed, they’ll receive vouchers valued at $30 and can shop at the market that day. Families with more than one person on WIC can receive vouchers totaling $60. Vouchers are in addition to the recipient’s normal monthly WIC allowance.
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The remaining WIC markets will be held at these four Fulton County Health Centers:
- Neighborhood Union Health Center
186 Sunset Ave., Atlanta
Monday: July 17
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Required nutrition class at 9 a.m.; sign up by calling 404-612-4665.
- Oak Hill Child, Adolescent & Family Health Center
2805 Metropolitan Parkway, Atlanta
Tuesday: July 18, July 25
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Required Nutrition class: 9:00 a.m.; sign up by calling 404-612-4111.
- College Park Regional Health Center
1920 John Wesley Ave., College Park
Wednesday: July 12, July 19
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Required nutrition class starts at 9 a.m.; sign up by calling
404-765-4155.
- North Fulton Regional Health Center
3155 Royal Drive, Alpharetta
Thursday: July 13, July 27
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Required Nutrition class starts at 9:00 a.m.; sign up by calling 404-332-1958
Video: More information on food deserts
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