Highmark teams with Old Man Rivers, Parkersburg High School for free farmers market
Highmark teams with Old Man Rivers, PHS for free farmers market
People line up to receive produce at a free farmers market open to residents of Wood County Saturday at Parkersburg High School. The event was part of Highmark Health Options’ Farm-to-Family initiative. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
From left, Parkersburg resident Lorissa Horner watches as her husband Garry deposits a watermelon in a bag held by Crystal Belisky, community engagement specialist for Highmark Health Options, during a free farmers market hosted by Highmark, Old Man Rivers and Parkersburg High School Saturday at the school. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Recovery Point resident Alex Turner empties corn into a basket while volunteering at the free farmers market organized by Highmark Health Options in partnership with Old Man Rivers and Parkersburg High School, where the event was held Saturday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Old Man Rivers Executive Director Seth Franklin, left, hands bags to Parkersburg residents Kathy Henry and Tom Ohse during a free farmers market event held Saturday at Parkersburg High School as part of Highmark Health Options’ Farm-to-Family program. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
People line up to receive produce at a free farmers market open to residents of Wood County Saturday at Parkersburg High School. The event was part of Highmark Health Options’ Farm-to-Family initiative. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
From left, Parkersburg resident Lorissa Horner watches as her husband Garry deposits a watermelon in a bag held by Crystal Belisky, community engagement specialist for Highmark Health Options, during a free farmers market hosted by Highmark, Old Man Rivers and Parkersburg High School Saturday at the school. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Recovery Point resident Alex Turner empties corn into a basket while volunteering at the free farmers market organized by Highmark Health Options in partnership with Old Man Rivers and Parkersburg High School, where the event was held Saturday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Old Man Rivers Executive Director Seth Franklin, left, hands bags to Parkersburg residents Kathy Henry and Tom Ohse during a free farmers market event held Saturday at Parkersburg High School as part of Highmark Health Options’ Farm-to-Family program. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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PARKERSBURG - Wood County residents took home thousands of pounds of fresh produce at no charge Saturday from a free farmers market organized by Highmark Health Options in collaboration with the Old Man Rivers mission and Parkersburg High School.
It was the second of five planned Farm-to-Family food distributions in West Virginia this year by Highmark Health Options, the insurance provider's Medicaid brand. It was the first in Parkersburg since the program was introduced in Pennsylvania in 2024 and came to the Mountain State last year.
The program aligns with Highmark's goals in a couple of ways, said Jason Landers, president of Highmark Health Options.
"As a health care company, we can do so much, but when you're hungry, none of that matters," he said. "When we're talking to our members … food insecurity is the No. 1 thing that people are worried about."
And it wasn't just any food they were giving out, but fruits and vegetables, primarily from local producers and acquired through Bob's Market and Greenhouse in Belpre.
There were no income requirements to obtain the food; recipients just had to be residents of Wood County. More than 100 families received produce in the first hour.
"I'm amazed, and I think it's great," Parkersburg resident Tammy Davis said. "I think we should do it more often, 'cause a lot of people are having a hard time."
Davis said some of what she received were items she would normally get at the store while she foregoes others because of the cost.
"I don't buy plums because they're so expensive," she said.
There were also a number of organizations set up in the horseshoe in front of PHS to provide information about legal assistance, health care and more.
"The core of it is the food giveaway. But what we wrap around it is health care services," said John Pepper, director of communications for Highmark Health Options.
Parkersburg resident Daniel Wilder said he appreciated that aspect of the event.
"You never know what (situation) you're going to come into," he said.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.