Merced County farmers market vouchers available for WIC participants

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC, is reminding its participants vouchers to be redeemed at farmers markets are available.

The WIC offices in Merced County have received 1.200 vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables. Each eligible family can receive $20 in vouchers, according to WIC. This is in addition to monthly vouchers that can be used at certified stores.

Sandra Erb, a registered dietitian with Merced County’s WIC program, said farmers markets are an easy and convenient way to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce tends to be fresher, with more nutrients than produce that has been on shelves for days.

Vouchers have been offered previously, but the service is underutilized, Erb said. “It’s actually surprising the amount of people who don’t think it’s worth it,” she said.

But those who have never shopped at a farmers market may be missing out, she said.

Summer, Erb explained, is the time to enjoy watermelons, plums, oranges, potatoes, onions, squash, green beans and kale.

“Most of the farmers delivering at farmers markets are picking their produce the day before the market,” said Joe Mitchell, owner of Mitchell Home Grown, in a WIC news release. “This allows, in many cases, for produce (to be) available to the consumer less than 24 hours from being picked.

“Most fresh produce in a local supermarket can be anywhere from a week to two weeks old before being purchased by the consumer,” he added.

Erb noted that a greater variety and the opportunity to speak directly to growers about their farming techniques are also benefits from shopping at farmers markets.

The vouchers can also provide a boost to the local economy.

“These vouchers give $24,000 straight to the farmers in our county,” Erb said.

Merced County has two certified farmers markets:

▪ The Original Merced Farmers Market, at Canal and 16th streets behind Bob Hart Square, runs Saturdays from 8:15 to 11 a.m. The next dates for the market are July 18 and 25, and Aug. 1 and 27.

▪ Promenade Farmers Market, at Yosemite Avenue and Paulson Road, runs from 7:30 to 11 a.m on Wednesdays.

WIC participants must take their WIC identification folder to the two participating farmers markets. The five $4 vouchers expire Nov. 30.

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Merced County farmers market vouchers available for WIC participants."