By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Promoting fresh food choices for all – including residents with limited incomes – is one of the driving forces behind the city’s latest partnership with the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency’s Farmers Market program.
Shirley Moore, nutritional program manager, and Carol Meyers, community support service director, were at the June 28 City Council meeting to promote the new market, held downtown from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays at 102 Elm St. at First, just west of Biddle.
The program began June 17 and runs through Sept. 15. It will offer an array of products that either are locally grown or contain local ingredients. Items include fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, baked goods, meat and dairy products.
The group plans to provide recipe cards to help customers learn how to prepare produce with which they may not be familiar.
Its community gardening program has coordinated the planting and harvesting of more than 39 gardens in 13 communities. The gardens, which are planted and maintained by nonprofit and civic organizations, schools, community, social and religious groups, have produced nearly 10,000 pounds of fresh produce for local families in need.
Wayne Metro’s Partnerships for Local Agricultural Networking Together provides fresh produce and promotes self-sufficiency, focusing on good nutrition and healthy living. PLANT provides seeds, plants, gardening supplies and technical assistance to community gardeners.
For more information on the services provided by Wayne Metro call (734) 284-4497 or go to www.waynemetro.org.