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All market locations sponsored by the Battle Creek Farmers Market Association
participate in the Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH programs. Qualifying
individuals receive coupon booklets that can be used for the purchase of fresh,
unprocessed, Michigan grown fruits and vegetables.
Both Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH programs help to make fresh
produce available to low-income, nutritionally at-risk consumers, by using
Michigan farmers markets. The program was started in1986 in several states across
the country. In 1988, Congress authorized a three year demonstration project to
test in the concept in 10 states. The project’s success led Congress to enact the
WIC Farmers’ Nutrition Act of 1992 (PL 102-314). Project FRESH was
administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture as a federal pilot in FY ’
89 and FY ’90. After a two year hiatus, on June 1,1993, the program was
transferred to the Michigan Department of Community Health, where it remains
today.
Project FRESH is administered by the Michigan Department of Community
Health (MDCH) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the
Michigan State University Extension/Expanded Food and Nutrition Education
Program and Family Nutrition Program (MSUE/EFNEP and FNP). Local health
agencies and MSU extension offices statewide deliver Project FRESH services to
certified WIC participants.
Who Is Eligible For Project FRESH Coupons? Women and children (ages 1-4)
currently enrolled in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program can get
coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. Women who are either pregnant or
breastfeeding are targeted to help meet their special nutritional needs.
How Are Project FRESH Coupons Issued? WIC local agency staff identifies
eligible participants and issue coupons at the agency.
How Do Project FRESH Coupons Work? Each client receives a $20 booklet of
ten $2 coupons to be used June 1 through October 31 in the year the booklet is
issued. Coupons can only be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized
farmers' markets.
How Do Participants Know Which Farmers' Markets Are Authorized?
All farmers participating in Project Fresh will have a laminated yellow poster
stating: "Project FRESH Coupons Accepted Here."
What May Be Purchased With Project FRESH Coupons?
Participants may buy locally grown fresh fruits or vegetables, but are especially
encouraged to buy broccoli, carrots, potatoes, squash, peaches, apples and tomatoes.
A variety of produce rich in vitamins A, C, and folic acid are emphasized.
How Do Participants Learn About FRESH Produce?
Project FRESH participants receive a 15-20 minute food and nutrition
presentation. Presentations may include a food demonstration and taste test of
recipes prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables. A nutrition education video may
also be shown.
Senior Project FRESH
The Senior Project FRESH program is administered by the Michigan Department
of Community Health, Office of Services to the Aging, in partnership with the
WIC program. Specified Senior Centers will issue coupons to eligible seniors.
Questions on this program should be directed to Sherri King at (517) 373-4064.
participate in the Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH programs. Qualifying
individuals receive coupon booklets that can be used for the purchase of fresh,
unprocessed, Michigan grown fruits and vegetables.
Both Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH programs help to make fresh
produce available to low-income, nutritionally at-risk consumers, by using
Michigan farmers markets. The program was started in1986 in several states across
the country. In 1988, Congress authorized a three year demonstration project to
test in the concept in 10 states. The project’s success led Congress to enact the
WIC Farmers’ Nutrition Act of 1992 (PL 102-314). Project FRESH was
administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture as a federal pilot in FY ’
89 and FY ’90. After a two year hiatus, on June 1,1993, the program was
transferred to the Michigan Department of Community Health, where it remains
today.
Project FRESH is administered by the Michigan Department of Community
Health (MDCH) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the
Michigan State University Extension/Expanded Food and Nutrition Education
Program and Family Nutrition Program (MSUE/EFNEP and FNP). Local health
agencies and MSU extension offices statewide deliver Project FRESH services to
certified WIC participants.
Who Is Eligible For Project FRESH Coupons? Women and children (ages 1-4)
currently enrolled in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program can get
coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. Women who are either pregnant or
breastfeeding are targeted to help meet their special nutritional needs.
How Are Project FRESH Coupons Issued? WIC local agency staff identifies
eligible participants and issue coupons at the agency.
How Do Project FRESH Coupons Work? Each client receives a $20 booklet of
ten $2 coupons to be used June 1 through October 31 in the year the booklet is
issued. Coupons can only be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized
farmers' markets.
How Do Participants Know Which Farmers' Markets Are Authorized?
All farmers participating in Project Fresh will have a laminated yellow poster
stating: "Project FRESH Coupons Accepted Here."
What May Be Purchased With Project FRESH Coupons?
Participants may buy locally grown fresh fruits or vegetables, but are especially
encouraged to buy broccoli, carrots, potatoes, squash, peaches, apples and tomatoes.
A variety of produce rich in vitamins A, C, and folic acid are emphasized.
How Do Participants Learn About FRESH Produce?
Project FRESH participants receive a 15-20 minute food and nutrition
presentation. Presentations may include a food demonstration and taste test of
recipes prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables. A nutrition education video may
also be shown.
Senior Project FRESH
The Senior Project FRESH program is administered by the Michigan Department
of Community Health, Office of Services to the Aging, in partnership with the
WIC program. Specified Senior Centers will issue coupons to eligible seniors.
Questions on this program should be directed to Sherri King at (517) 373-4064.
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