It’s Farmer’s Market Time . . . Buy local, eat healthy

Communities across the country, and in Jefferson County, are seeing the many benefits of local farmer’s markets. Markets are an opportunity for residents and visitors to purchase locally-grown produce that is healthy and in season; meet and greet neighbors, business owners and local farmers; learn new recipes or ways of cooking healthier; and to buy local. Nearly 100 farmer’s markets dot the state’s landscape; to find out about local farmer’s market in Jefferson County, go to:

Golden Arvada Lakewood Wheat Ridge Evergreen

Attention Farmer’s Market Managers!
Ensuring all incomes can shop at farmer’s market is a great way to grow community and support local economies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables through farmer’s markets a priority in recent years. Many farmer’s markets across the country now accept SNAP benefits. For more information on this, go to http://coloradofarmers.org/snap/ Apply online to accept SNAP benefits . See if you are eligible to receive FREE equipment to accept SNAP, credit & debit.

For more information about a Jefferson County Public Health project that is working to increase SNAP redemption at Jefferson County farmer’s markets, contact Molly Hanson at mhanson@jeffco.us.

Fruit & Vegetable Consumption Related to Greater Happiness

Jefferson County Public Health believes it is important to highlight the direct correlation between our diet and our health.  While proper handling and preparation steps are crucial to food safety, creating a healthy and balanced diet is equally as important to our health.  

While it is no secret that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables keeps us healthy, new research findings suggest that this same diet may also make us happier.  Preliminary evidence has shown that eating fruits and vegetables is related to greater self-reported curiosity, creativity, happiness, life satisfaction, and positive affect. Consumption of fruits and vegetables is believed to promote a general, overall more positive state of well-being.

Be sure to combine health and happiness this fall with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and consider adding an extra apple or handful of carrots to lunch!

For more information on healthy eating, visit Jefferson County Public Health’s Healthy Eating, Active Living web page.

The study, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, is available on PubMed. Science Daily online news published a report on the study: Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Could be as Good for Your Mental as Your Physical Health.