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Hays County Food Bank
220 Herndon St.
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-8300
www.haysfoodbank.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRESH NEW PARTNERSHIP HELPS HAYS COUNTY GET FED
City, Local Food Bank & Farmers’ Market Partner to Share Produce
San Marcos, Texas, March 31, 2015
The City of San Marcos, the Hays County Food Bank (Food Bank), and the San Marcos
Farmers’ Market Association are excited to announce the launch of a pilot program to
increase access to fresh produce for food bank clients. This fruitful collaboration will
support Central Texas and hometown farmers and gardeners while also stimulating the
local economy and fortifying the movement to eat healthier foods every day. Finding
ways to encourage people to eat fresh food every day is the main focus of the Food
Bank’s Get FED program.
The Farmers’ Market Voucher program was unveiled last Monday at the Food Bank’s
public distribution at the City of San Marcos’ Dunbar Center. When Hays County Food
Bank Nutrition Coordinator Kirby Stewart announced to clients that they could purchase
a $40 voucher booklet valued at $40 for only $10, more than 10% of the clients at the
distribution purchased voucher booklets that day. The vouchers will continue being sold
to food bank clients at other public distributions and through the Food Bank’s 40 partner
agencies.
When City of San Marcos grant administrator Richard Salmon suggested the voucher
program to the Food Bank, they immediately embraced the idea. Salmon’s grant writing
intern, Katie Tritsch collaborated with Food Bank staff to develop and submit the grant
proposal that is funding the initial voucher program. This healthy partnership will allow
economically stressed families to obtain their choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, and
herbs grown in the greater Hays County area by Saturday San Marcos Farmers’ Market
farmers and gardeners. It will also funnel an additional $5,000 directly into the local
farmers market.
The Saturday market is held on the downtown square, every Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market is operated by San Marcos Farmers’ Market Association, a non-profit that
provides an outlet for Central Texas farmers to market their crops and serves as a
source of fresh, homegrown and homemade products for local consumers. Visit
http://www.sanmarcosfarmersmarket.com/about for more information about he San
Marcos Farmer’s Markets.
The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute recently identified Hays County
as the 5th healthiest county in Texas, in their 6th annual County Health Rankings and
Roadmaps study. Along with 33 other items, criteria for ranking counties in the study
includes access to healthy food and exercise opportunities. This collaborative
Serving hungry people in Hays County since 1984.
partnership with the City, Food Bank, and Farmers’ Market has potential to increase the
healthy ranking of Hays County in the future.
You can help eliminate hunger in Hays County by making a donation to support the
Hays County Food Bank. Your gift enables the Food Bank to provide nutritious food to
our community. Visit haysfoodbank.org or call (512)392-8300 to make a donation. Go to
www.haysfoodbank.org for details about public distributions, volunteer opportunities, the
Get FED, HOPE and YEAH programs, and upcoming events.
______________________________________________________________________
The Hays County Food Bank, along with more than 40 partner agencies, distributed 528,964
pounds of food to more than 18,000 food insecure residents, including senior citizens and many
others facing economic challenges, in 2014. "Food security" refers to the availability of food and
one's access to it. The Food Bank is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers
and the generosity of the public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit
haysfoodbank.org or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @HaysFoodBank.
Press Contact:
Jane Moore | Community Relations Coordinator | Hays County Food Bank
P: (512) 392-8300, x 229 | E: [email protected] | www.haysfoodbank.org
FOR MEDIA ONLY
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