Farmers Market offers a fresh take on emergency food needs

Not only does a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables sadden our palates, it most definitely has an overall negative effect on health. Compared with a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, people who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are “likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers,” says the USDA health website fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov.

Of course, it seems unfair that those in need should be subject to an increased risk of health problems simply because they can’t afford a readily available and often inexpensive diet staple. This is where the efforts of the Community Food Pantry hope to make a difference this summer.

Throughout the year, the food pantry puts all of its force into providing groceries for Highland Park residents in need, said pantry coordinator Beth Leech. But their facility, located at the Senior/Youth Center on South Sixth Avenue, has no refrigeration, so that therefore the groceries are usually limited to canned/boxed items with long shelf lives.

In cooperation with Jamie McCrone of Main Street Highland Park, Leech has input a program that will provide existing food pantry clients with vouchers for the upcoming annual Highland Park Farmer’s Market. “It will be almost like a gift card,” said Leech, noting that clients will be able to use the vouchers at any of the vendors throughout the summer.

With offerings from local farms including Von Thun, Donaldson, Suydam, and E&R Son Organic Farm and market standbys, Baker’s Bounty and Dr. Pickle, along with live entertainment and cooking demos by the chefs of Elijah’s Promise, a day at the market will certainly be an entertaining, enriching, and uniting experience for residents in need of a little uplifting.

Initially, clients will receive one five to ten dollar voucher per household (depending on household size). Leech is hoping that as the summer progresses, the food pantry will receive enough cash donations to support the continuance of the program.

Five dollars may not seem like much, but with the affordability of the locally grown and produced products offered at the Farmer’s Market, it could likely yield several meals’ worth of fresh fruits and veggies for a family of four.

Vendors will be reimbursed by Main Street Highland Park and in turn, the food pantry will reimburse Main Street as their donations come in, said Leech.

Leech and fellow food pantry volunteer Lori Freedman hope that it will lend a greater sense of community to both organizations.

“I think the importance is twofold,” said Leech.  “We are always looking for ways to provide healthier, more wholesome foods, but we hope we are making Highland Park a place where people connect,” she said.

The Farmer’s Market runs from mid-June through mid-November, every Friday at the municipal parking lot between South Second and South Third Avenues. To support the HP Community Food Pantry, visit: sites.google.com/site/hpfoodpantry/, or contact Beth Leech at 732.491-6013.