Somerset County Health Department hosts weekly vegetable pick-ups

Westover, Md. – In Somerset County, residents can load up as many nutritious vegetables as they need for free.

These “veggie pick-ups,” hosted by the Somerset County Health Department take place every Wednesday in a different location throughout the county. Grown and harvested by ECI inmates, the produce is fresh and available for the community, helping tackle food insecurity. Officials say they hope these veggie pick-ups help keep the community fed and nourished.

“Food insecurity is a huge issue, especially in Somerset County,” Alyssa Weston said. Weston is a coordinator of special programs with the health department. “So this is just a way for us to give back to the community.”

Weston said all the vegetables are completely free of charge and the department will even offer recipes for people who aren’t sure how to cook some of the vegetables.

Volunteer Emilyn Bivens is a recent graduate from Immaculata University with a degree in nutrition.

“Especially with, like, food insecurity when you’re trying to just feed yourself or your family like you are just looking for what you can get for the cheapest and that’s not always going to be, like, the healthiest option,” Bivens said. “You’re not thinking about all the produce and stuff, you’re just trying to get something on the table for cheap. So having this, I feel really expands what you’re able to offer. And just, like, the nutritional value of a meal that you can put together, which is great.”

The next vegetable pick-up will be July 1 in Princess Anne.