(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass County Public Health said Thursday, CCPH recently completed  their most recent session of their “A Matter of Balance,” course.  The award-winning program helps older adults learn to manage their concerns about falling, make changes to reduce the risk of falling, and increase their physical activity, flexibility, strength, and balance.

The next session of A Matter of Balance will be held from on Wednesdays August 3rd through September 21st.  Registration is required as class size is limited. To register, or for more information, please contact Victoria Means at Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7443.

Back left to right: Victoria Means (Course Instructor), Linda Jensen, Suzzane Just, Sheryl Buroughs, and Linda Edelman (Course Instructor)
Front left to right: Marcene Arn, Dick Hensley, and Carol Hensley. (Photo submitted)

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Before the Iowa Legislature wrapped-up their session this week, they reached an agreement on a bill that which will allow ATV/UTVs on county highways as a part of a statewide law.

(R) Rep. Tom Moore

Iowa House District 21 Representative Tom Moore….

He said also, HF 2147 appropriates $150,000 to support the christening and commissioning ceremonies of the new USS Iowa (SSN 797).

And, with regard to the Budget, Tom Moore expressed disdain toward actions taken in the Senate, with regard to the Budget, which he says “are always the focal point at the end of the session.”

“In my opinion,” Moore said, “the goal of government is to serve the people of Iowa by making informed decisions on how to use taxpayer money. When one chamber acts unilaterally and doesn’t listen to their departments the people of Iowa suffer. Although the budget is done and is an increase there are many areas,” Moore says “where we fell short of what [he] believes to be good conservative government..”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Local Food Policy Council is encouraging low-income adults age 60 and older and WIC recipients to apply for Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) produce vouchers. Adults age 60 and older with annual incomes less than $25,142 (single) and $33,874 (married) are eligible to apply for the Senior FMNP. The Senior FMNP provides $30 in farmers market produce vouchers to qualifying seniors first come, first served. To apply for the Senior FMNP vouchers, individuals over age 60 should call the Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209 (extension 8888) and leave a message with their name and phone number. The agency may take up to five days to respond to messages.

FMNP produce vouchers are also provided to WIC (Women, Infants, Children) recipients first come, first served. For more information on the WIC program and the WIC FMNP vouchers, people in Cass County should call 800-338-4129.

FMNP is a congressionally authorized program with the goals of providing fresh, nutritious, locally grown produce to nutritionally at-risk women, infants, children, and low-income seniors; increasing the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding farmers markets; and aiding in the development of farmers markets. More information on the program can be found at https://iowaagriculture.gov/agricultural-diversification-market-development-bureau/farmers-marketnutrition-program.

All four Cass County farmers markets accept both Senior and WIC FMNP vouchers.

Cass County Summer Farmers Markets

• Anita Farmers Market:
  Location: Bandshell Park on Main Street in Anita
  Time/Dates: Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 PM, June – August
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers. Some vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as “food stamps”).
  Contact: (402)677-2460.
• Atlantic Farmers Market:
  Location: Farm Bureau (1501 East 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022)
  Time/Dates: Saturdays 9:00 AM- Noon, May 21 – End of August
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers. Some vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as “food stamps”).
  Contact: (402)677-2460.
• Lewis Farmers Market:
  Location: 3HO (201 1st St., Lewis, IA 51544)
  Time/Dates: Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 PM, Thursdays 4:00-6:30 PM, May 31– October 13
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers.
  Contact: (712)789)-9455
• Produce in the Park:
  Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
  Time/Dates: Thursdays 4:30-6:30, June 2– October 13
  $: Some vendors accept FMNP Senior and WIC vouchers. All qualifying food vendors at Produce in the Park accept SNAP/EBT (“food stamps”). All produce vendors at the market both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks ($1 coupons for fresh produce provided for every dollar spent on fresh produce with SNAP/EBT up to $10 per transaction).
  Contact: (712) 249-5870

More About Cass County Local Food Policy Council: For more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood. The Cass County Local Food Policy Council is a Cass County Government advisory body that promotes local foods and food access. The Council facilitates networking among people and groups who are involved in all aspects of the local food system—from growing and processing, to selling and eating. In its work, the Council gathers information about local food-related needs and considers what might be done to make sure everyone in Cass County has access to healthy food. The Council then makes recommendations and supports organizations working toward that goal.

To learn more about the Council, contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or (712) 249-5870. The next Council meeting is July 12 at 2:00 PM at the Cass County ISU Extension Office (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022). Meetings are open to the public.

(Cass County, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Director Brigham Hoegh reports mobile food pantries will be held in both Atlantic and Anita, in June. A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome.

Anita 2022 Mobile Food Pantries
Where: Anita Food Pantry (208 Chestnut Street, Anita IA 50020)
2022 Dates: June 22, August 24, October 19
Time: 4:30-6:30 PM 

Atlantic 2022 Mobile Food Pantries
Where: Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
2022 Dates: June 8, August 10, September 14, October 29
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM

Mobile pantry dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the latest information on mobile pantries, local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood or contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or 712-249-5870.