This is what my current event looks like... for this week...

Letter to the Editor:
According to the Georgia Organics newsletter for February 2010, there will be another wave of support for the Farmers markets in Georgia this year.

The USDA’s grant for outreach, education and equipment made it possible for the food stamp program to try a pilot program allowing food stamps to be used at Georgia’s farmers markets. Initially three farmers markets were taking the food stamps. One of which was located in Savannah.

Georgia Organics has teamed up with the Wholesome Wave Project allowing the food stamps value to double at the farmers markets. This project is aimed at trying to lower the obesity levels of our state, especially the children of Georgia.

I understand that the food stamp program is exists to help the needy families get back on their feet and to make sure that no one goes hungry. I love the fact that they are now going to be able to have access to wholesome, healthy and locally grown foods for their families. I do however wonder how well this will catch on.

Last year being the first year of the pilot program with the farmers markets, only $2801 was reimbursed as part of this program. That accounted for $5600 worth of fresh foods. That dollar amount was from three major farmers markets from around the state. That makes me weary of this programs success. I can only hope that this program catches on quickly.

It makes me wonder where the minds of the parents are at these days with healthy eating habits for their families. Georgia ranks third in the nation for obesity. That is a scary place to be. I have 4 children and worry about every little thing that they are eating at school and while they are away from home. I try very hard to only purchase healthy foods to have around the house, especially for snacks. I just looked in my pantry, and wow do I have some rethinking to do. I found all sorts of unhealthy snacks in there. Some, I have to admit I buy just to see the smile on their faces and to get the “Thanks Mom”. I shouldn’t let that be a driving force behind what I purchase though. My main motivation should be the health of my children. It is hard to implement new dietary items into your children’s menu.

I would hope that more families, including my own would take a hearty look at what they are putting into their bodies as fuel. If every family in Georgia would give a farmers market a try, then that would not only help the locally grown markets but also give the people a little sense of what eating fresh is all about.

So, I challenge each and every one of you to eat locally once a week for a month. That sounds easy enough. right? That equates to the mighty four times in a month of supporting your local farmers and also makes you eat fresh once a week. Can you do it?
I am doing this for my family for the month of February and I will see how it goes. I don’t think it should be too hard, but we shall see.



So, as you can see we have to write it as if we were writing our local newspaper. I hope I get a good grade on this one. I will post my one from last week in a few minutes.

Jamie