Sunflower Embarks on Summer Goal to Give Members Locally Grown Fruits, Vegetables

Date: 06/22/23

Sunflower’s 2023 farmers market season begins June 24 in Hays, Kansas

Sunflower Health Plan is supporting its Medicaid members and Kansas growers through a nearly $20,000 investment in its annual farmers market voucher program.

Sunflower is celebrating its ninth year of hosting farmers market events throughout Kansas. The initiative began as a pilot in 2015 to encourage Sunflower members to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets.

The voucher program serves to advance health equity and fight food insecurity by giving Sunflower members $10 in vouchers to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at Sunflower Member Days at local farmers markets. Sunflower staff participate and welcome members to learn more about their benefits.

"A diet rich in fresh produce can have a positive impact on a person’s health," said Sunflower’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Michael Skoch. "Through this voucher program, Sunflower introduces many members to farmers markets and gives them an easy way to explore a variety of fruits and vegetables to incorporate in their diets."

According to Feeding America, 291,430 Kansans are facing hunger – 93,960 of them children. In fiscal year 2022, SNAP reached 195,800 Kansas residents (PDF) – 1 in 15 people in the state – and more than 10.2% of households were “food insecure.”

The farmers market initiative is part of Sunflower’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health. These are issues such as food insecurity and lack of transportation or housing, for example, that can stand in the way of good health. Sunflower Member Days not only help members’ bottom lines and promote healthy, nutritious options, but also support local growers.

Sunflower Member Days launches on June 24 in Hays, Kansas, and runs through September 9 in Manhattan, Kansas. See the full list of dates and locations.