The Cass County Local Food Policy Council voted this week to provide $1300 in funding to Cass County farmers’ markets to encourage residents to visit local farmers markets and eat locally-grown produce. Most of the money will provide coupons which can be redeemed throughout the 2019 season for produce sold at farmers’ markets in the county, including Produce in the Park and the Atlantic and Anita farmers’ markets. These coupons will be widely distributed with the goal of making fresh and healthful local produce affordable for more county residents. The coupons will be distributed at Head Start and county food pantries, in addition to other channels.
A portion of the funding will also be used to purchase local produce to provide free taste tests for children visiting Produce in the Park. This effort will help children explore a variety of fresh produce items they can try at no cost to their parents.
The final piece of the funding will be used by guest chefs at Produce in the Park to purchase locally grown ingredients. Then, when market visitors try a sample from the guest chef, they’re also getting a chance to try local-grown foods they can purchase right at the market.
The Cass County Local Food Policy Council encourages you to visit one of our three Cass County Farmers’ Markets during the summer of 2019:
- Produce in the Park is held in the Atlantic City Park on Thursday evenings from 4:30-6:30 PM June 6th through September 26th. For more information contact [email protected] or follow Produce in the Park on Facebook.
- The Atlantic Farmers Market is held in the Orscheln’s Farm and Home parking lot on Saturdays from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM starting June 1st and on Tuesdays from 5:00-7:00 PM starting June 4th. The markets will conclude on Sept.24th and Sept. 28th.
- The Anita Farmers Market is held in the Anita Bandshell Park on Main Street on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 PM June 3rd through August 26th. For more information on the Atlantic and Anita markets, contact Donna Brahms at (402) 677-2460.