Looking for fresh veggies? A new interactive map helps veterans find farmers markets near VA medical centers and clinics.
Washington, D.C.-based Community Foodworks launched the VA-Farmers Market Finder this month to give Veterans Affairs Department nutritionists and social workers an easy way to refer vets to healthy, affordable food, but anyone can use the map at CFWDC.org/Veterans.
A veteran redeems his V2Rx vouchers at the Brookland farmers market in 2015.
Photo Credit: Community Foodworks
More than 6,000 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers are equipped with the USDA's Electronic Benefits Transfer system, which allows recipients to transfer their government benefits to pay for products. Veterans who are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can use their SNAP cards to make purchases at the farmers markets.
Dalila Boclin, food access and outreach manager at Community Foodworks, said the group pulled the locations of the farmers markets from the USDA database. If a market wants to be added to the map, it can register with the USDA, she said.
Nick Stavely, the Brookland farmers market manager, works with two volunteers during the veterans open house in 2015, where vets and social workers were invited to check out the farmers market.
Photo Credit: Community Foodworks
In 2015, Community Foodworks launched the Veteran Vegetable Prescription Program, or V2Rx, which provides eligible veterans with vouchers to use each week at farmers markets.
A household with one veteran receives $5; a household with two to three receives $10; and a household with three or more vets receives $15. If the households also receive SNAP benefits, they can double their funds.
"If you have $15 [in vouchers], then you use $10 of SNAP, you receive a match of another $10," Boclin said.
Last year's V2Rx program focused on the Brookland farmers market in D.C. and saw a redemption rate of 42 percent during its eight-week, off-peak run.
"This year we're in the process of fundraising to be able to run the program citywide," she said.
Charlsy Panzino covers veterans education, employment and transition issues, as well as travel, entertainment and fitness. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
