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Families living in parts of Rock Island, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities, don’t have a nearby grocery store, which limits their healthy food options.
The University of Illinois Extension-Rock Island County hopes to make it easier for these families to get fresh fruits and vegetables through their new initiative.
Beginning in March 2014, a bus will pick up residents once a month and shuttle them to the Hy-Vee Food Store, 2930 18th Ave., and Aldi Foods, 1817 38th St..
The ride is free of charge, but that’s not all.
While they’re on the bus, an Extension educator will talk about food, nutrition, wellness, and saving money.
The bulk of the funding — about $14,000 — is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, education program. An additional $2,200 to pay for the Johannes Bus Service vehicle and driver comes from Activate Rock Island, an initiative facilitated by the Two Rivers YMCA to promote healthier living.
The Extension is getting the word out through flyers and other information distributed at all of the pickup locations, the county health department, area food pantries, Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, clinics, schools and Casa Guanajuato, an organization serving Latinos in the Quad-Cities.
They hope to bring the buses to the other Quad Cities in the coming months.
Read about the new buses in the news.
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