March of Dimes Funds Billings Forge Community Works. By Rita Decker-Perry

This August Billings Forge Community Works, of the Billings Forge Farmers Market, has been the very fortunate recipient of a generous grant from March of Dimes, which knows the true need for making fresh, locally grown foods affordable. The grant was awarded in tandem with Wholesome Wave. This funding is helping us to further our outreach and foster the Double Value Coupon Program within the Frog Hollow section of Hartford, CT. Frog Hollow has a dense Latino population and has the second highest poverty rate in the country. We need programs like the Double Value Coupon Program to make healthful foods affordable and available.

I could go on and tell you how important these programs are, speak to the rapid rise in Americans receiving food stamp benefits, but I am certain that most of us are on the front lines and clearly understand the needs of our communities and neighbors.

So I thought I would just share with you some of the feedback I am getting from customers shopping at our farmers market.

“Thanks Billings Forge Farmers Market for giving me the SNAP coupons doubled. I am a senior and a vegetarian and my boyfriend is a diabetic with high blood pressure so the fresh produce is imperative this is a gem of a program we really appreciate the difference the difference it makes” Janic C, Hartford CT.

‘Thank you for your terrific job at the Billings Forge Farmers Market. Regardless if you realize it or not you have improved the knowledge of so many of my Charter Oak Health Center clients. I am simply blessed to have your offerings just a 5 minute walk from the Health Center. Each Thursday I encourage my clients to meet me at your market. We walk to each farm vendor where folks are able to discuss and purchase food items they never tried. Not only are you providing a wealth of nutrients by way of produce and the DVCP, you are offering an enrichment of knowledge.’

Thank you for all your efforts.
Lorraine Reardon MS, RD,CD-N Registered Dietitian /State Certified Nutritionist

Alison of Glastonbury “I get my milk and eggs and fresh fruit and vegetables here every week. With this benefit it is cheaper than buying at the supermarket’ Allison is an unemployed mother of three. Her 9 year old daughter has severe autism, she receives $630 a month in EBT benefits.

So all I can add is my thanks, to March of Dimes and Wholesome Wave, for allowing us to have the funds needed to be able to do the outreach that is so needed. We will distribute the funds to help these families make the positive dietary changes they want and need.

Click here to see her outreach poster for Double Value Coupon Program, in Hartford CT!