Mobile Farmers Market Voucher Program Expanded In DeKalb

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County residents in need can get fresh fruit, vegetables and more with the DeKalb Board of Health's recently expanded farmers market voucher program.

The DeKalb BOH partnered with three community organizations — the Diabetes “You Can Win” Foundation, Inc., Lithonia Head Start, and the Ruby A. Neeson Diabetes Awareness Foundation, Inc. — to provide farmers market vouchers through the Healthy Bucks voucher program, according to a Tuesday news release.

Clients can redeem the Healthy Bucks vouchers for bags of produce at any Fresh on DeK: DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market stop during the market season, which begins Monday. Fresh on DeK makes weekly stops throughout the county, offering fresh produce at a low cost, as well as food demonstrations.

Healthy Bucks is modeled after a similar program in New York City. It offers incentives for community members to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as participate in nutrition education.

“Healthy Bucks gives us an additional means to address the health and nutrition needs of underserved residents in DeKalb County,” Interim District Health Director Sandra J. Valenciano, said in the release.

For more information, call the Board of Health's Office of Chronic Disease and Prevention at 404-508-7847 or email DeKalb.OCDP@dph.ga.gov.

Here's the Fresh on DeK schedule:

Session A: June 7-July 30

Tuesdays

• 9-11 a.m. at Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston
• Noon-2 p.m. at Grove Gardens at East Lake, 1925 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta
• 5-7 p.m. at Terraces at Parkview, 6800 Parkview Trace, Lithonia

Wednesdays

• 9-11 a.m. at South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Road, Decatur
• Noon-2 p.m. at East Lake YMCA, 275 Eva Davis Way SE, Atlanta
• 5-7 p.m. at Mainstreet Community Services Association, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive, Stone Mountain

Fridays

• 9-11 a.m. at The Reserve at Hairston Lake, 1023 N. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain
• Noon-2 p.m. at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, 2340 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur

Session B: Aug. 2-Sept. 24

Tuesdays

• 9-11 a.m. at Hills at Fairington, 5959 Fairington Road, Lithonia
• Noon-2 p.m. at Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia
• 5-7 p.m. at Redan High School, 5247 Redan Road, Stone Mountain

Wednesdays

• 9-11 a.m. at Scott Candler Library, 1917 Candler Road, Decatur
• Noon-2 p.m. at Recovery Consultants of Atlanta, 3423 Covington Drive, Decatur
• 5-7 p.m. at Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur

Fridays

• 9-11 a.m. at DeKalb County Watershed Management, 4572 Memorial Drive, Decatur
• Noon-2 p.m. at Eritrean-American Community Association of Georgia, 720 Hambrick Road, Stone Mountain

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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