UTICA — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently awarded the Clinton Chamber of Commerce a Community Health Award of $2,000 in support of the Clinton Farmers Market – Power of Produce Kids Club. 

The program provides a fun opportunity for children to learn about their local food system through conversations with farmers, educational games, and exposure to new fruits and vegetables, officials said.

Each child receives two $1 tokens weekly to spend at the farmers market.

“The driving theme behind the program is to encourage the development of healthy eating habits at an early age,” said Jackie Walters, former executive director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. “The children are empowered to make healthier food purchases and are introduced to where their food comes from.”

The Clinton Chamber of Commerce is a networking organization serving businesses and non-profit organizations and supporting local economies in the Village of Clinton, the Town of Kirkland and the surrounding areas. The Clinton Chamber of Commerce operates the Clinton Farmers Market which runs through from June 2 through Oct. 6 this year on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. SNAP benefits are accepted at the Clinton Farmers Market.

Through a competitive application process, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community Health Awards provide funding to launch, expand, and sustain programs and services that promote health. These investments advance health equity by extending the reach of preventive health services or health-promoting programs to vulnerable populations.

The health plan’s corporate giving follows all applicable laws and regulations and does not support funding organizations that conflict with its corporate mission, goals, policies, or products.

“The company’s Community Health Awards demonstrate a corporate commitment to support local organizations that share our mission as a nonprofit health plan,” states Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Utica regional president. “Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities and we are pleased to support the Power of Produce Kids Club with this essential community health funding.”

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Utica region encompasses Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and St. Lawrence
counties.