According to the 2021 Fond du Lac County health assessment, 52% of adults and 35% of students consume at least two servings of fruit on a day and 23% of adults and 17% of students consume at least three servings of vegetables in a day. The goal is to increase the fruit and vegetable intake of Fond du Lac County residents, which can contribute to the prevention of overweight/obesity and chronic disease.

For the past 7-8 years, Amanda Miller has collaborated with the Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market and Living Well FDL/Fond du Lac County Public Health to implement the Small Steps Program. Small Steps is a fruit and vegetable prescription program sponsored by United HealthCare. The general idea is that fresh produce is a healthy way to address health concerns, particularly identified by medical providers.

This current summer, UHC has provided $2,000 total in $5 coupons that will be distributed to various community programs, such as WIC (Women, Infant, and Children), the Fond du Lac Senior Center, the Boys and Girls Club, and Extension’s Junior Master Gardener program. Recipients of the $5 vouchers then redeem the prescriptions at the local farmers market.

This year, youth receiving the vouchers will also have the opportunity to participate in the POP (Power of Produce) Club. The program will feature a lot of educational resources, fun activities, and other ways to engage kids in their local farmers market.