Barbour County Students Enjoy Produce Markets

In collaboration with WVU Extension, Heart and Hand House was able to bring two kids produce markets for each of the Barbour County elementary schools, Belington Elementary, Junior Elementary, Kasson Elementary, Philippi Elementary, and Feed My Sheep during 2023.

Heart and Hand secured funding through generous donations made by the miners at Leer South and the United Methodist Foundation. Leer South selected Heart and Hand House as the Nobel Cause recipient for the month of July. Their contribution helped to fund almost half of this program. Remaining funds needed were raised through the Heart and Hand House Endowment Fund through the United Methodist Foundation. In addition to funding, the Heart and Hand Community Garden Market assisted in aggregating the needed produce and prepping for deliveries to the schools.

WVU Extension communicated with schools to schedule the markets and recruited community volunteers. Students visited the “pop-up markets” and chose fresh fruits and vegetables purchased from our Heart and Hand Community Market, which aggregated the produce from local and regional farmers. Students received a variety of apples, pears, peaches, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, pumpkins, and squash, and recipes to make nutritious foods from the produce. Children are more likely to try produce that they select, therefore these markets encourage them to try foods they might not otherwise eat.

Volunteers donated many hours helping organize and transport the produce, along with helping the students “shop” on market days. Community volunteers making these markets possible were Nina Melvin, Patsy Iaquinta, Betty Daugherty, Edna Waugaman, Shirley Daniels, Carole Neukam, Iva Jones, Kim Stemple, Kim Summers, Nancy Marsh, Angie Mosesso Nuzum, Judy Bolyen, Willodine Godwin, Noretta Frey, Terry Rembold, Linda Moats, Judy Sanetrick, and Stan Wolfe. Heart and Hand staff helping were Jesica Streets, Ron Wilson, and Tracy Lantz. WVU Extension staff included Michele Baldwin, Jody Carpenter, Becky Kniley, Heather Perkins, and Barbara Wolfe.

Half our plate needs to be fruits and vegetables, which provide our bodies with many vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C to help heal cuts and bruises and help us fight illnesses and Vitamin A for our eyes and immune system. So, try some new fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of colors to help your body get the vitamins and minerals it needs to be healthy!

WVU Extension Family Nutrition Program’s work is supported by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.