TMCnet News
Amerigroup Community Care Kicks-Off Farmer's Market Season in GeorgiaBuilding on a successful kick-off campaign in 2014, Amerigroup Community Care has launched the second year of a robust healthy eating campaign created to offer Georgia's most vulnerable population better access to fruits and vegetables. The Farmer's Market Initiative is a partnership between Amerigroup and its community partners to provide free food and produce to communities around the state. Amerigroup hosts a number of food-related events throughout the year connecting growers to nearby communities. To assist communities in Georgia with limited access to fresh food, Amerigroup will host mobile food pantries throughout the summer and farmer's markets in the fall. Attendees may also receive free health screenings, participate in children's activities and get helpful tips about obesity, diabetes, wellness and nutrition. Through July, Amerigroup will make approximately 25 mobile food pantry stops, which include the following locations:
Through a partnership with the Community Farmers Markets Inc., Amerigroup is helping to fund the SNAP program, which doubles the value of food stamps at multiple farmer's markets around Atlanta. The $10,000 sponsorship will also enable educational cooking demonstrations by local chefs to provide tools and tips for healthy living to local community members who attend farmer's markets. "We launched the Farmer's Market initiative last year to encourage healthy eating," said Fran Gary, plan president, Amerigroup Georgia. "By working closely with our partners, this year we are extending the healthy eating message and bringing locally grown fruits and vegetables to even more people around Georgia." Amerigroup has also teamed up with more than 20 providers around the state to supply pop-up farmer stands for children. The three-foot high wooden stands, with awnings, include plastic bins to hold plastic fruits and vegetables, a shopping cart, chalk boards, kids cook books and more. Providers will also receive baskets full of fresh food and health information. In 2014, Amerigroup's Farmers Market Initiative hosted 14 events across Georgia, between October and December, distributing food to more than 1,250 people. About Amerigroup Georgia Amerigroup Georgia helps improve health care access and quality for more than 355,000 low-income Georgians by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Amerigroup Georgia provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150601005797/en/ |
