County Workers, Get Your Fruit, Veggies Here!

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County put wheels on wellness in the form of a produce cooperative truck making rounds to county government sites. The aim: Make bargain-priced fresh fruit and vegetables available to county employees to encourage healthier meals.
In order to make a purchase, employees must show their county identification badge.
As part of a lifestyle change, such dietary differences will, hopes Edmund Grant, county director of operations who helped craft the county’s Wellness Program, result in lower health insurance costs which ultimately will held control county taxes.
On March 13 and 14 the white van, once used by the county Fire Marshal’s Office and redone, began peddling oranges, apples, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers potatoes and peppers at low cost, procured by the county via Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
On its maiden voyage, the truck visited the Administration and Health Department, Crest Haven Nursing and Rehab Center, and on March 14, went to Rio Grande where it stopped at the Social Services Building, rear lot, and County Library Complex, behind the Board of Elections.
According to Joann Barnard, Wellness coordinator, the produce truck had good orders before it left the loading dock. That’s because county workers were alerted in advance it would be wending its way to those satellite offices.
Although cash, in the form of small bills was accepted on the initial runs, it was envisioned the truck would be cashless, with all orders paid by debit or credit cards. Such “plastic money” transactions will be processed with iPad (hand-held device) equipped with a Square adapter to read the cards. Every transaction will be recorded so that a report will be available at day’s end.
Onboard the truck, metal shelves will hold the produce. Six small, slate blackboards will carry the latest prices for goods. In addition, Barnard, with the help of Marilou Rochford, director, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, has placed healthy meal tips on the shelves to encourage better eating habits. Some of those tips include firing up one’s grill to cook vegetables and fruits, “get in on the stir-fry fun” and expanding the flavor of casseroles.
The produce truck is but the latest addition to the Wellness Program, funded through a grant from the county’s health insurer.
Grant told the board March 12 that many employees took an active role in getting the truck and program up and running.
Buying the produce through Crest Haven Nursing and Rehab Center allows economy of scale to reduce prices to employees. Most prices were $1 or $2 for fruits and vegetables.
“Everyone realized the prices were exceptionally good,” said Grant. “My wife gave me a shopping list,” he quipped.
Another facet of the program is an exercise center, accessible to county workers using their ID badge, in the east side of the Health Department. There, treadmills and other exercise equipment are available for use.
Barnard said Sheriff’s Department corrections officers utilize the facility shortly after they get off work in the early morning. To prove it, they sent her a video showing the group exercising.
Grant told freeholders at the March 12 caucus of an employee assistance program earlier in the day held at Crest Haven Nursing and Rehab Center that focused on depression and anxiety. At a prior meeting, he remarked that a survey of employees showed that many were concerned with stress, and asked that programs be held to address that health factor.
In addition, blood pressure checks have been done at various county work sites. Some employees were found to have high blood pressure, with some being admonished to see their doctor as a preventive measure.
For more information on the Wellness Program, visit: http://www.cmcwellness.org/