Tenth Annual Family Market Day Promotes Healthy Eating

10th Annual Family Market Day Promotes Healthy Eating at Oakland County Farmers Market

Oakland County residents who participate in the State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Project FRESH programs are encouraged to participate in the 10th annual Family Market Day on Saturday, August 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford, west of Telegraph Road). Eligible participants will receive $5 in coupons to purchase produce from local farmers.

“Family Market Day helps Oakland County residents purchase local, fresh produce,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County Health Division. “This event encourages healthy eating and offers fun ways for the family to become physically active together.”

Residents who make a Bridge/EBT card purchase at Family Market Day will receive an additional $5 coupon to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Coupons are available at the Oakland County Health Division table on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used on the day of the event. The event, sponsored by McLaren Hospital and Summit Dental Group, includes activities for children, health screenings, free recipe samples, prizes, and yoga. Inflatable bouncers will also be on-site, so bring socks for the kids.

In addition to receiving a Family Market Day $5 coupon, participants can also benefit from the Double Up Food Bucks program. This program, courtesy of the Fair Food Network, matches money – up to $20 – spent on SNAP-eligible foods at the Oakland County Farmers Market when using their Bridge/EBT card. The matched Food Bucks can be used right away or later to buy Michigan grown fruits and vegetables. For example, spend $1 on SNAP-eligible foods with a Bridge/EBT card and get $1 in Double Up Food Bucks tokens to use on Michigan grown fruits and vegetables.

Learn more about Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program and Family Market Day.

About Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP)

Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) was launched by Oakland County Health Division in 2009, under the leadership of L. Brooks Patterson, as a collaboration of local government, hospitals, health care providers, community-based organizations, business, and citizens dedicated to promoting healthy eating and physical activity and improving the health of Oakland County residents. HOP currently has two teams dedicated to specific initiatives:

• Farmers Market Team – Improve the health and well-being of Oakland County by collaborating to increase & promote healthy eating opportunities by partnering with and supporting Farmers Markets.
• Youth Team – Improve the health and well-being of Oakland County by collaborating to increase & promote healthy eating and physical activity opportunities in schools.