WARREN, Ohio – The Cover Down Fund is launching the Warren Farmers Market Initiative, a new community program designed to improve access to fresh, healthy food for local veterans while supporting the market and its local vendors.
The initiative will begin with a $1,500 pilot grant, with the potential to expand based on community participation, donor support and the overall success of the program, a news release states.
To kick off the initiative, every eligible veteran who attends the Warren Farmers Market on Aug. 14 will receive a $20 voucher that can be redeemed with participating vendors throughout the market. Vouchers will be distributed at the market’s information tent on a first-come, first-served basis.
To receive a voucher, veterans must present one of the following forms of identification:
- A valid Ohio county veterans identification card, issued by the county recorder.
- A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care identification card.
- An Ohio driver license or state ID displaying the armed forces veteran designation.
- A valid U.S. military identification card.
“Our vision is simple. We want to encourage veterans to come downtown, enjoy everything the Warren Farmers Market has to offer, support our local farmers and small businesses and take home fresh, healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Herm Breuer, founder and president of the Cover Down Fund. “This initiative reflects our belief that serving veterans extends beyond benefits – it also means investing in their health, well-being and quality of life.”
Breuer said that if the program is successful, the organization looks to make it an annual tradition that serves more local veterans.
The Warren Farmers Market, 347 N. Park Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 25.