A program sponsored by Jacksonville Memorial Hospital will again allow shoppers to use a Link card to purchase food at the Jacksonville Farmers Market.
“We continue to provide access to healthy food for our community’s most vulnerable population,” said Lori Hartz, director of community health at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. “The most recent Community Health Needs Assessment identified obesity as a top health concern in Morgan County. Obesity can be a root cause of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Expanding access to healthy foods at our local farmers market is one way to address that concern for Morgan County residents.”
The hospital received a Link Up Illinois grant from Chicago-based nonprofit organization Experimental Station to double the value of Link card purchases made at the farmers market. The grant is intended to provide fresh food access to underserved populations in rural communities. The link match allows one free voucher for every $1 token purchased, which may be used for fruits and vegetables. The Jacksonville Memorial Foundation also supports the Link card program at the market.
The Jacksonville Farmers Market opens May 6 in Pathway Plaza, 1905 W. Morton Ave., Jacksonville. The market is open 7 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 28.