Published on April 05, 2010
Eat Well, Save Money, and Support Local Farms
Dean Health Plan Makes MACSAC Memberships Even More Rewarding
DeDe Mears, the director of Once Upon A Time Child Care Center in Verona knows the importance of providing fresh fruits and vegetables for children.
"Some kids may not get fruits and vegetables at home, so we work hard to make sure they at least try them while they are here," says Mears.
While fresh fruits and vegetables are often more expensive, that is not the case for many of those participating in the Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition, MACSAC.
"Thanks to the program, we are able to offer the kids at our center the opportunity to try a large variety of different foods, and they start eating their fruits and vegetables at a young age," says Mears. "A lot of our families take advantage of the program outside of the child care center."
The program is open to everyone, and farms that participate in MACSAC are now accepting new members. Once harvesting begins, MACSAC members can pick up a box of fresh foods each week, which may include produce, fruits, cheeses, eggs, meats, poultry, flowers, herbs or preserves.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your family to a number of different wholesome foods," says Dean Clinic Dietitian, Melissa Phillips, RD. "We all need to be eating more fruits and vegetables. In addition, the farms will often give information on how to use and prepare the foods they offer."
Green Spirit Farms in Dodgeville is one of dozens of area farms that participate in MACSAC. They say the variety and organic nature of the foods are just two of many benefits.
"We offer about 50 different types of organic vegetables and small fruits," says Jennifer Kerr of Green Spirit Farms. "We believe freshly picked produce grown without pesticides and sprays are better for you than conventionally grown vegetables.
"These foods may also be safer because they are coming directly from the farmer," says Phillips. "There is less risk of the food getting damaged or spoiled due to long-distance shipping. There is also less of a chance that the foods will lose the vital nutrients they contain when they are going a short distance."
Dean Health Plan has partnered with MACSAC to encourage members to make healthier food choices and support local farmers. Dean Health Plan's WIN Program offers cash back for a variety of health-related expenses for the whole family. We are proud to reimburse our individual members up to $100.00 and families up to $200.00 for fruits and vegetables purchased through MACSAC.
For more information on MACSAC, please visit their website. To arrange an interview with Dean Clinic Dietitian Melissa Phillips, a local farmer participating in MACSAC or a family who benefits from MACSAC, contact Dean through the information below.
