Residents gain enhanced access to fresh produce

Win Win for area farmers and Illinois Link card users

Bloomington, IL June 13, 2009—Building sustainable communities means feeding the hungry, even during tough economic times.

Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market now is providing low income residents with access to healthy foods.

Organizers recently purchased an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) machine, used to process Link cards (food stamps), with funding from State Farm Bank®. The machine also will save customers time by processing credit and debit cards. No more running to an ATM when you come up a little short at the farmers market.

“The EBT machine has given us the ability to reach out to people,” Elaine Sebald, coordinator of the Bloomington Farmers Market, said. “We couldn’t have gotten a start without the help of State Farm Bank. It’s given us a foundation to build access to local, healthy food. It also allows us to support the local economy in a new way.”

Local farmers also benefit by having more customers to sell their fruits and vegetables to.

“The economic sustainability of farmers is essential to addressing community hunger issues,” David Brown, of Brown’s Fresh Produce, a local farmer who sells at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market, said. “A person’s financial situation shouldn’t impact their access to fresh food.”

Downtown Bloomington Association is working with the Heartland Local Food Network to promote the market to low income residents. Farmers Market coupons were distributed to low income families through West Bloomington congregations. The coupons along with information about the market also are provided to people who visit area food pantries.

State Farm is committed to enhancing access to fresh produce through a variety of vehicles. Last year the LPGA State Farm Classic event acquired $35,000 for the Central Illinois Foodbank.

In addition to supporting access to healthy food, State Farm Bank also is providing Link card users with financial education information.

For more information about State Farm Bank’s involvement contact: Holly Anderson (309) 735-7745 or holly.anderson.m3mj@statefarm.com.