Ottawa County grant will aid GVSU student families during farmers market

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Through a cooperative effort among northeast Ottawa County agencies, nearly 20 young families will receive vouchers for fresh produce when the farmers market at Grand Valley State University opens on June 10.

The Ottawa County Health Department provided a $1,000 grant that will enable 17 families who live in GVSU family housing to obtain vouchers for fresh produce during June, July and August. The farmers market will be held each Wednesday, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in parking lot F of the Allendale Campus. Each student family will each receive $30 of vouchers.

Sue Sloop, GVSU Work Life Connections consultant, said the grant program, “Families Eat Farm Fresh,” is intended to encourage healthy eating and increased physical activity. There are no income guidelines for families to qualify for the vouchers; all student housing families can receive the vouchers. Families will also receive water bottles, apples and coloring books.

The grant is sponsored by the Ottawa County Wellness Coalition Northeast Action Team; its members are GVSU, Ottawa County Health Department, Allendale Township, City of Coopersville, and Northern Physical Therapy Services.

Grand Valley’s farmers market is entering its fourth year. The market hosts about 10 area vendors each Wednesday from June 10 through September 30. For more information about the market, contact Sloop at (616) 331-2215.