The new Harvest to Home Program is bringing local produce to smaller stores in rural neighborhoods!

HARVEST TO HOME PROGRAM

We all know that fresh fruits and vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet. They are loaded with nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber, and when compared to their canned or frozen counterparts, the taste simply can't be beat.

With the local growing season in full swing, getting our daily dose is easier than ever. Farm markets, produce stands, and even roadside vendors are your unrivaled source for the best and most nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.

The Seven Valleys Health Coalition and the Cortland County Health Department have teamed up to bring more attention to the benefits of fruits and vegetables for Cortland County residents. The Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play Grant has helped the organizations to develop a “Harvest to Home” program with smaller stores in the rural areas of Cortland County.

The prime objective of the program is to implement innovative strategies to increase access to fruits and vegetables, especially in convenience stores and areas of the county where grocery stores are not close by. The Cincinnatus Home Store and Uncle Tom’s Deli and Grocery in Preble agreed to be the first stores to host the “Harvest to Home” program and feature produce each month that is typically available in Cortland County. Free recipe cards are also available in the produce stands to take the guess work out of what to do with the item.

Much of the produce sold at large supermarket chains is grown thousands of miles away, in places such as California, Florida and Mexico so that means days — perhaps even more than a week — has passed since it was picked, packaged and trucked to the store, where it can sit on the shelves even longer. Often, produce is picked before it's ready, preventing it from ever reaching its nutritional potential. Buying locally grown produce ensures you're getting the produce at its peak form.