Westchester County Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program Promotes Farm Fresh Produce

 County Health Department Distributes Farmer’s Market Coupons to Westchester Families

Throughout the growing season, the Westchester County Health Department’s WIC Program will distribute seasonal Farmer’s Market Coupon booklets to help eligible families purchase farm fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmer’s markets.

Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “With food insecurity a continuing concern, the Westchester County Health Department is pleased to offer this savings to families to encourage the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. We are also happy to help support local farmers at the same time.”

More than 1,600 of the $25 booklets, provided by the New York State Department of Health, have been distributed to WIC families served by the County’s Port Chester and Yonkers WIC offices, and there are more available to be distributed through the end of September.  The coupons can be used at farmers markets through November. This benefit is in addition to other help available as part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

WIC is a federally funded short-term nutrition intervention program with long-term health benefits. WIC provides nutrition assessment, education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, along with monthly benefits to buy healthy food and referrals for health and social services to qualified families.

Westchester County’s WIC program currently serves about 6,380 families. To learn more about eligibility, contact WIC in Yonkers at (914) 231-2510 or Port Chester at (914) 813-7244.

The coupons can be used at farmer’s markets in Bronxville, Hastings, Irvington, Larchmont, Katonah, Mount Vernon, Ossining, Pelham, Pleasantville, Rye, Scarsdale, Sleepy Hollow, Yonkers and Yorktown.