The Brookline Department of Public Health announces it has received a $43,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation that will help make the Brookline Farmers’ Market more accessible to low-income families.
The grant will provide 500 Brookline residents and their families with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables and other food products during the 2021 farmers’ market season. Individuals and families of two will receive $40 in coupons, while households of three or more will receive $80 in coupons. The coupons will be valid at the Farmers’ Market through Thursday, Oct. 28.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and exposed health inequities in several ways, and this grant will help us to narrow that gap by making the farmers’ market more accessible to lower-income residents,” Dr. Jett said. “We’re thankful for this opportunity and are hopeful that residents in need will take advantage of the chance to have access to the healthy fruits and vegetables this season.”
Brookline individuals and families who reside in Brookline Housing Authority sites or whose household income meets federal poverty guidelines are eligible to participate in the program. Beginning in mid-August, staff from the Brookline Department of Public Health will schedule registration dates at the Brookline Senior Center and various BHA sites to register people who qualify for the program.
Information on the location and times to sign up for the program will be available at www.brooklinema.gov/health or by calling 617-730-2295 after Aug. 16. Coupon books for the Farmers’ Market will be distributed at the time of registration.
Brookline was one of 18 local health departments nationwide to be awarded a grant after participating in the Kresge Foundation’s Emerging Leaders in Public Health program. The grant is part of $2.1 million in funding provided to organizations to support their COVID-19 response and recovery work, boost vaccination rates and address health inequities.
The Brookline Department of Public Health was the recipient of one of these grants.
“These local health departments are using an array of practical and innovative solutions to address immediate needs and integrate long-term measures to address inequities in access, information, and services in low-income and BIPOC communities,” said Monica Valdes Lupi, managing director of Kresge’s Health Program.
The Brookline Farmers’ Market season is ongoing now through Nov. 18. For more information about the market, click here.