Fulton Launches WIC Farmer’s Markets, Free Food Vouchers

ATLANTA, GA -- As area grocery stores blend elements of your local farmer's market into the shopping experience, the fact remains that much of Atlanta and unincorporated Fulton County remains in a food desert. These areas just don't have convenient access to locally sourced affordable fruits and vegetables.

In a bid to tilt the scales a bit, the Fulton County Board of Health has launched its annual Summer Women Infants and Children (WIC) Farmer’s Market and Nutrition Program throughout July. (To get notified of more local news like this, click here to sign up for the Cascade Patch. Or find your Atlanta-area town here. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

The Farmer’s Markets will be held at five locations in metro Atlanta on designated days. The market will offer free food vouchers for WIC clients, but fresh produce will also be available for purchase for local shoppers.

“The farmer’s market makes healthy, locally grown food more reasonably priced, supports local farmers, and keeps federal funds in the community” Fulton County WIC Director Danica Carswell said in a news release.

WIC clients will be required to call the health center to be eligible for the free $30 vouchers. They must also register to attend a free 30-minute class on healthy eating.

Below are the five Fulton County Health Centers that will have WIC Farmer’s Markets:

Adamsville Regional Health Center, 700 Martin Luther King Dr., Atlanta, GA 30331. One week only: July 5, 6, 7, 2017 9 a.m. – 2: 30 p.m. To register for the nutrition class, WIC clients must call the Adamsville Health Center at 404-6123- 4215, the county says.

Neighborhood Union Health Center 186 Sunset Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30314. Monday: July 3, 10, 17, 2017 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Required Nutrition class at 9 a.m. To register for the nutrition class, WIC clients must call the Neighborhood Union at 404-612- 4665, the county says.

Oak Hill Child, Adolescent & Family Health Center 2805 Metropolitan Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30315. Tuesday: July 11, 18, 25, 2017 Required Nutrition class: 9 a.m. To register for the nutrition class, WIC clients must call the Oak Hill Adolescent Center at 404-612- 4111, the county says.

College Park Regional Health Center 1920 John Wesley Ave., College Park, GA 30337. Wednesday: July 5, 12, 19, 2017. Time: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Required nutrition class starts at 9: 00 a.m. To register for the nutrition class, WIC clients must call the College Park Health Center at 404-765- 4155, the county says.

North Fulton Regional Health Center 3155 Royal Drive, Suite 125, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Thursday: July 6, 13, 27, 2017. Time: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Required Nutrition class starts at 9 a.m.

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