COURTESY PHOTO Belvidere Republican
The Boone County Health Department is hosting a farmers market and wellness fair on Tuesday, July 30, for the community, and also for WIC (Women, Infants, Children supplemental nutrition program) recipients. A number of organizations, agencies and businesses will be there to offer health-related resources.

Looking for some fresh, healthy foods? Or, maybe you want health-related information? Look no further than the Boone County Health Department, which is hosting a farmers market and wellness fair on Tuesday, July 30 and the community is invited.

According to Francine Alcantara, RN, BSN, health department clinical supervisor, the farmers market is now in its 11th year, and the wellness fair is in its eighth year.

She explained that the health department is involved in the farmers market “because of the WIC [Women, Infants, Children supplemental nutrition] program. We provide the WIC benefits to eligible families.”

“Every year they provide an extra [benefit], which is a farmers market coupon,” she continued, which she explained is for families with children over six months old and to age 5, as well as active (WIC) participating women.

Alcantara said the health department originally had several farmers come to the health department and set up their stands in the parking lot, specifically for WIC families. She said the participating farmers “were certified through the state to receive the coupons.”

The wellness fair, the supervisor said, involves “a handful of organizations, agencies and businesses that come to set up a booth, mostly to provide information … connect people with services.”

She estimates that close to 30 such organizations, agencies and businesses will be participating in this year’s wellness fair.

One of those agencies is the Rock River Valley Blood Center, which will be at the farmers market and wellness fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Heidi Ognibene, chief operating officer for the blood center, lamented that “Since May we’ve been experiencing a critical shortage of blood donors.”

Several factors are at play here, she said, such as families being away on vacation, and accidents and injuries that are summer-related.

“Summer is a unique time,” she said, reiterating that donors “are busier or on vacation. Summer is hard.”

“It’s a national problem right now,” Ognibene emphasized.

She said right now, “All donors are needed regardless of their blood type,” and mentioned that O- and O+ blood types are needed, because O- blood can be used for all blood types. O+ can be used for all positive blood types.

“We are at a crossroads” for blood supplies, Ognibene said.

All donors will receive a coupon for a pint of Culver’s custard and will be entered to win a $500 gift card.

To make an appointment, call 815-544-9730 or visit https:qrs.ly/agfwoow.

Also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the farmers market will be selling a variety of fruits and vegetables, and the health-related participants will be at their booths with activities for children and giveaways for the whole family, including exercise and fitness tips.

The Belvidere Fire Department will be on-hand to conduct free car seat safety checks.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be free lunches available for children ages 18 and under, provided by the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) and the YMCA, while supplies last.

Starting at 1:30 p.m., there will be free drawings with some great prizes, including gift cards and passes for local attractions, according to a health department news release. Visitors will be able to participate in one of several drawings and do not have to be present to win.

Partnering with the health department are the Boone County administration, the City of Belvidere, RAMP, the Boone County Council on Aging and the Belvidere Family YMCA.

Sponsors include OSF Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to learn about all the services and products that are available,” Alcantara summed up.

For more information, contact the Boone County Health Department at 815-544-9730.

The Boone County Health Department, established in 1966, serves nearly 54,000 residents, and “We promote and protect the health of the people and communities in Boone County, right here, where they live, work, learn and play.”

 
 
 
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