US (GA): Connecting lower income residents to fresh produce

When Kim Hines moved to Augusta in 2005, one of the first things she noticed was a lack of a local food culture. That, and there were no bike trails or curbside recycling.

At first, she utilized the suggestion box of her monthly water bill to advocate for these three positions. Then she realized she needed to pick one and go for it.

Hines picked food.

In the coming years, Hines founded Augusta Locally Grown and GROW Harrisburg. She worked with a wide coalition of groups to bring two organizations that help the local communities connect with their food, respectively. She also brought The Veggie Truck Farmers Market to Harrisburg, which helped bridge the transportation issue in connecting lower income residents to fresh produce, as well as the 100 Raised Beds campaign, among other initiatives.

Then, in 2014, Sara Berney, executive director at Wholesome Wave Georgia, told Hines she was looking for locations to pilot a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (FVRx) program that would connect healthcare providers, farmers markets, and families with diet-related illnesses, by providing the access, support, and funding needed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

Read more at Georgia Organics