City Times Staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Wood Co. WIC will have a Registered Dietitian at farmers markets and farm stands located in Wood County throughout the week of August 6-12.

The Wood County Farmers Market is asking residents to come support the community and ‘boost your nutritional intake.’ According to a press release:

“When you shop at a farmers market, you are helping to support local growers and their families. The dollars you spend directly impact our local community and allow farmers to continue to provide fresh, sustainable produce directly from their farm to your family. You can also save money on produce by shopping at a farmers market in comparison to the grocery store.”

According to the county, produce from a farmers market contains a higher density of vitamins and nutrients due to its freshness.

“Purchasing produce from a farmers market can also help boost your nutrition intake. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins, nutrients and minerals; however, with time, produce loses nutritional value. Choosing to purchase freshly picked fruits and vegetables from a farmers market means you are getting produce at the peak of freshness with all of the valuable nutrients.”

Farmers Market week is August 6-12. Wood County WIC will have a nutritionist present at most farmers markets and farm stands in Wood County throughout the week. The nutritionist will be issuing WIC farmers market checks to eligible WIC participants, as well as give away free cook books on a first come first serve basis at each location and will have other information and activities related to farmers market week.

New signage for the coming farmers markets will be available, and for more information on locations, please visit www.woodcountyfarmersmarkets.com. This website displays all farmers markets and farm stands in Wood County. Markets that accept WIC are noted with a purple circle.

Wood County farmers markets and farm stands that currently accept WIC include in Wisconsin Rapids:

Altenburgs Country Gardens, Cee-Dee Acres Farm Stand, Peach Street Farmers Market, Wood County Farmer’s Market, and South Wood County YMCA Farmers Market.

In Marshfield: Festival Food Farmer’s Market, Main Street Farmers Market, and Russell’s Farm Market.

A Wood County WIC nutritionist will continue to be present at selected farmers markets through August to issue WIC farmers market checks and answer nutrition questions from community members. These markets include Peach Street Farmers Market on the fourth Tuesday of the month and Wood County Farmers Market on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.

For more information, please call 715-421-8926.