Download Marketing Healthy Habits

SHIP stories
The Statewide Health Improvement Program
(SHIP) works to improve health through
better nutrition, increased physical activity
and decreased exposure to commercial
tobacco products. As of June 2011:
• Farmers markets increase access to
fruits and vegetables, a key component
of healthy eating. Before SHIP, there
were 82 farmers markets in Minnesota.
During the first two years of SHIP,
160 new farmers markets opened, an
increase of 95 percent.
Marketing Healthy Habits
The Minneapolis Department of Health and Family
Support (MDHFS) and its partners expanded the
availability of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) services
to the Minneapolis and Northeast Farmers Markets to
help provide better access to healthy, local foods.
“Customers love the program. They’ll go back [o their
communities] and tell their friends, ‘did you know about
the free $5 in Market Bucks when you swipe your
EBT card for $5 at the Market?” commented Sandy
Hill, Onsite Communications and EBT Manager of the
Minneapolis Farmers Market. “It’s a very beneficial
incentive program for these people.”
Since the start of EBT and Market Bucks, the EBT
program has provided healthy foods to 2,454
participants, a 160 percent increase since 2010.
“We have become friends and have regulars that
come every week,” commented Sandy Hill, Onsite
Communications and EBT Manager of the Minneapolis
Farmers Market.
8/2012
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii
In addition to helping people get their daily fruits and
veggies, the program has also proven fiscal success.
From July 1, 2010 through the first week of November,
2011 the vendors and farmers have experienced
over $65,000 in additional sales at the Minneapolis
Municipal Farmers Market. “Our Board and vendors
were excited about implementing the EBT program and
really appreciated the City of Minneapolis’s help in
setting it up. It’s been a win-win situation,” commented
Sandy.
***
SHIP is working to make the healthy choice the easy
choice in Minnesota. Find out how at
www.health.state.mn.us/ship