Nashville Food Deserts Benefit From New Farmers' Markets

Four Nashville neighborhoods that had previously been identified as food deserts are benefiting from new farmers’ markets established through the Veggie Project, the Examiner reports. Spurred from research conducted three years ago by a Vanderbilt University student who examined childhood obesity, family nutrition and food security, the Veggie Project aims to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved communities. The project already has added farmers’ markets in the Andrew Jackson, Preston Taylor, Antioch and Wedgewood-Houston neighborhoods. In each, children get the opportunity to learn the business behind the farmers’ market and then are rewarded with special vouchers that can be used to purchase items there. Adults also can earn vouchers by participating in the Super Shoppers program, which provides similar vouchers to those who submit recipes that include items available in the farmers’ market (McInnis, Examiner, 6/28/09).

http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/digest.jsp?id=11328