So Many Programs

JoAnne and Andrea work the Farm Fresh tent at the Woonsocket Farmers Market, where they explain to customers the coin system as well as other available programs. 

JoAnne: Farm Fresh is really an amazing organization, and I think unless you're a consumer, or you're working at Farm Fresh, a lot of people have no idea what Farm Fresh does. 

Andrea: I mainly do Harvest Kitchen. This is a whole program where young adults who had some affiliation with DCYF (Department of Children, Youth, and Families) and want to go into culinary arts, they offer this training, and they buy produce from local farms. It blends these two programs, and it's under Farm Fresh. I'm sure I don't know all the programs they do, either. Before I sat at this table, I knew vaguely, but I didn't know the details. I think there's still more to learn. It also gave me some perspective on food access, and what Farm Fresh is doing to really try to make that happen, which is great. 

JoAnne: They also work with the schools, as well, the elementary schools, so they have access. 

Andrea: There are people who have been coming to the markets for years and they're experts [with our coin system]. That's kind of nice. Once it's clear, it isn't that difficult, but I think to initially understand the program—because you can't buy the same things with both sets of coins—it takes a minute. Once people get it, it's a great program. You get double your money. 

There's other kinds of programs, too. We found out about a program called the Wellness Program, and if you spend a certain amount of your money on fruit, vegetables, fresh produce, and you go to Walmart and you buy your groceries there and it's fresh, there's money that would go into your account. People would come here and have questions about that. 

JoAnne: And you get to see the community.