BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO – It’s National Farmers Week, a year dedicated to supporting local farms by improving access to fresh food.
Hosted by CAP-K, the event includes cooking demonstrations and general healthy lifestyle options.

• CalFresh Healthy Living hosts a resource fair during National Farmers Market Weeks. The event aims to promote local farmers and farmers markets by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, local resources and food demonstrations.
• CalFresh offers a bonus to EBT card users who spend $15 in the store
• The fair will take place from 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the F St. Farmers Market.

TRANSCRIPT OF THE MESSAGE:

“We want to encourage you to prepare your own meals. Don’t go to the store and buy pre-packaged food. They probably have 15 ingredients in it. Choose something simple and get the ingredients yourself. Take just the vegetables, take just the fruit, take just a few spices and seasonings and make something healthy out of it,” said April Verhof.

CAP-K partners with the F Street Farmers’ Market to provide local residents with an affordable and nutritious alternative.

Cal Fresh officials say people who use an EBT card will receive a bonus when they spend $15 at the store.

Market Match also gives them $15 worth of groceries.

Another incentive to eat healthy, fresh, locally grown food. Daniel McGrath, a gardener and vendor at the event, explains to me why buying locally grown food is best for everyone’s diet.

“I don’t want food that’s been on a ship for five months and then you cut it open and find it’s no longer good. That’s the advantage of farmers’ markets.”

According to official data, 14.3% of adults in Kern County were food insecure in 2020, compared to 10.5% nationwide and 9.1% in California.

According to CalFresh Healthy Living, a nutrition education program with CAPK, a staggering 78% of adults in Kern County are overweight or obese, explains health educator Jose Caballero.

“I want people to understand that food insecurity is not just about having food or eating in abundance. It’s also about food security.”

The K Street Farmers Market, in partnership with CapK, will provide opportunities for locals to obtain needed resources while offering activities, resources, prizes and more to promote healthy ways to save.

Janelle Gore wants everyone to know: “Come early to beat the heat and take advantage of the resources available here for the community.”

The event will take place on Saturday from 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the F Street Farmers Market.

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