There are several programs that promote healthy living and local food in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Three of these programs are Food Finders - Summer Food Service Program, Food Finders - The Waste Not, Want Not Program, and The Senior Farmers Market Voucher Program. These programs cover a range of communities: young people, students, the elderly, and other at-risk populations.
Food Finders - Summer Food Service Program
The Summer Food Service Program was created in the
summer of 2010 to serve healthy meals to children
(aged 2-18) when the National School Lunch Program
is not available. Participation in the program is free.
By the end of summer, Food Finders served over
30,000 meals and snacks. Most sites also provided
recreational activities for children.
https://www.food-finders.org/summer-food-service-program/
Food Finders - The Waste Not, Want Not Program
Each year, Indiana farmers lose value due to unsold crops that
are expensive to harvest and package, while food banks lack
access to reliable sources of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Waste Not, Want Not program is a collaboration between
Purdue Extension, Purdue Extension-Tippecanoe County, and
Food Finders Food Bank Inc. The program connects farmers
with excess crops with the food bank in order to increase the
availability of healthy food to local residents while reducing
waste.
https://www.food-finders.org/about/waste-not-want-not/
The Senior Farmers Market Voucher Program
This USDA program seeks to provide senior citizens (based on eligibility) with checks vouchers to purchase fresh, unprocessed, local fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh-cut herbs at local farmers markets. The program typically runs from July through August in Indiana. There are three farmers markets in the Greater Lafayette area. These include the Lafayette Farmer’s Market (downtown Lafayette, IN), Lafayette Market-Purdue Farmer’s Market (Purdue University campus), and the Sagamore West Market.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/overview
https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program-sfmnp
