GET FRESH/
REFRESQUENSE
video series: 16 shows, 5-6 minutes each
8 shows are in English, 8 are in Spanish

Each summer, families receiving benefits under the Women, Infants, and Children’s Program (WIC), are given coupons to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, redeemable only at Farmer’s Markets. This video series is played at WIC clinics to show people from the WIC program using their coupons at their local Farmer’s Market, and then preparing simple nutritious meals at home with their kids. Two professional chefs, Barbara Lang speaking in English, and Ana Standard speaking in Spanish, demonstrate two recipes for each featured fresh food, including peaches, carrots, kale, broccoli, apples, squash, cabbage, and potatoes. Recipe cards in English and Spanish are distributed at the WIC clinics with the Farmer’s Market Coupons.

Interestingly, the existence of this WIC/Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program has contributed to the viability of many small fruit and vegetable farms, as these farmers now have “coupon” markets for their wares. It also provides otherwise underserved neighborhoods with a source of fresh, inexpensive foods, while helping those in most need to improve their nutrition.