HOUSTON – Two months remain to take advantage of access to affordable local fresh fruits and vegetables through the Houston Health Department’s 2019 Get Moving Houston Farmers Markets. The eighth market season kicked off in April and ends September 26.
SNAP beneficiaries are eligible for a dollar for dollar match up to $20 spent on fresh fruits and vegetables through the Urban Harvest Double Up Houston program. In addition to the new incentive, the markets continue to offer:
- Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers to eligible WIC clients;
- The fruit and vegetable prescription program FRESH RX to Houstonians participating in a health screening visit or a health education class available at a participating health center; and
- Various deals and bundles to make local fruits and vegetables more affordable.
“Fruits and vegetables help prevent or delay the start of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease while helping people maintain a healthy weight and just feel better,” said Dr. Faith Foreman-Hays, head of the health department’s Office of Chronic Disease, Health Education and Wellness.
Get Moving Houston Farmers Markets bring fresh fruits and vegetables to communities with low access, also known as food deserts. Since launching in 2011, the markets have benefited more than 20,000 underserved families and distributed more than half a million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables in Houston.
“These markets provide a mutual benefit to farmers, shoppers and local economies by allowing farmers to sell high quality fresh fruits and vegetables directly to the community, meeting the area’s demand for fresh produce,” Foreman-Hays continued.
The markets accept cash, credit, debit and SNAP/Lonestar EBT.
Markets are held from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at multi-service centers across the city. The remaining 2019 season markets will be conducted:
- August 1 at the Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding Street
- August 7 at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive
- August 8 at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol Street
- August 14 at the Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding Street
- August 15 at the Acres Home Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Road
- August 21 at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive
- August 22 at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol Street
- August 27 at the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market Street
- August 29 at the Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 9314 Cullen Blvd
- September 11 at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive
- September 12 at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol Street
- September 17 at the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market Street
- September 18 at the Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding Street
- September 19 at the Acres Home Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Road
- September 25 at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive
- September 26 at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol Street
More information about Get Moving Houston Farmers Markets, incentives and health programs is available at HoustonHealth.org or by calling 832-393-4795.