Adams County Farmers Market receives $20k sponsorship from Highmark Wholecare

Gettysburg, PA (May 18, 2023) – Highmark Wholecare recently contributed $20,000 to support food assistance resources and build staffing capacity at the Adams County Farmers Market. Funds will be used to support the farmers market’s food assistance programs, such as SNAP Double Dollars and the Healthy Options program, while also supporting critical staffing capacity that allows these programs to have the maximum impact on community health and wellness.

Highmark Wholecare, a leading managed care organization that cares for the whole person in all communities where the need is greatest, offers Medicaid and Medicare health plans throughout Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh-Capital region.

Funding for the Adams County Farmers Market’s food assistance resources will increase access to fresh, locally grown food for lower income shoppers.

“This support from Highmark Wholecare is especially timely in light of the Adams County Farmers Market’s move to a new location at the Gettysburg Rec Park this year,” said Market Manager Reza Djalal. “This is a critical moment for the market, and Highmark Wholecare’s support demonstrates their commitment to our community.”

In 2022, 168 SNAP shoppers redeemed a combined total of more than $30,000 in EBT and “double dollars” benefits at the Adams County Farmers Market. An additional $28,000 was redeemed in Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits by approximately 250 lower income senior citizens and WIC clients from SCCAP. Highmark Wholecare’s support will help strengthen these programs and ensure that everyone has access to fresh, nutritious foods at the farmers market, regardless of their means to pay.

Highmark Wholecare coordinates with a wide range of community partners to help address members’ social determinants of health (SDoH) needs. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Up to 80% of a person’s health is determined by these factors, which can include lack of access to quality food, housing, education, jobs and transportation.

“We pride ourselves on being a community-based health plan, supporting not only our members, but organizations within the communities we serve that provide the types of resources and assistance that our members need,” said Karen Rollins-Fitch, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Highmark Wholecare. “We are proud to help local non-profits and businesses like Adams County Farmers Market provide for people in need so they can live healthier lives.”

The Adams County Farmers Market partners with many other local organizations, such as Healthy Adams County, The Adams County Office for Aging, the Adams County Food Policy Council, and others, to develop and deliver these critical food programs. Support from Highmark Wholecare and other sponsors helps strengthen local partnerships and ensures the market is an effective mode of delivering food assistance benefits.

For more information visit our website: acfarmersmarkets.org. More information about Highmark Wholecare’s healthcare services can be found at: highmarkwholecare.com.

“Highmark Wholecare’s support this year will help us deliver food assistance benefits to well over one thousand Adams County residents this year,” continued Djalal. “We appreciate this support as our community-driven farmers market continues to grow.”