When the 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment for Chippewa County identified Chronic Disease Prevention as a top priority, the Chippewa Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) doubled down on its efforts to improve access to healthy foods within the Chippewa Falls community. As the longtime CHIP administrator, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital worked closely this past year with the Chippewa Falls YMCA and CHIP Chronic Disease Prevention Action Team to establish Monday Market at the Y—a brand new farmers market that allows FoodShare participants to use their benefits to purchase fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods. 
 
The new market began operation in June and takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday (other than holidays) through the end of September. In addition to facilitating electronic benefits transfer (EBT) transactions, the Monday Market provides FoodShare participants with up to $10 per week in “Market Match” tokens to help address food security. Vendors also accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers.
 
In addition, CHIP agencies have used the Monday Market as an opportunity to share education and resources on a wide range of health topics, such as nutrition, mental health, vaping and dementia. The YMCA even hosted a “Let’s Talk About Preventing Diabetes” presentation from Wisconsin Health Literacy during one week—with attendees receiving $10 in tokens to shop at the market afterward.
 
“The mission of our coalition is to provide everyone with the information, resources, and support they need to be their healthiest selves, and the Monday Market aligns perfect with that purpose,” said CHIP Coordinator Melissa Ives, who works as a Community Health Outreach Specialist for HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls. “It feels great to get this off the ground after years of exploring our options, and we could not have found a better community partner than the YMCA to move this initiative forward.