Supporting Access to Healthy Food at Brookfield Farmers Market
Ascension Elmbrook Hospital is dedicated to ensuring vulnerable populations have access to healthy food.
Each year, Ascension Elmbrook invests in the Brookfield Farmers Market. In 2024, that contribution was $2,000. FoodShare is a statewide initiative, and this donation goes toward families who are in low-income households.
The money contributed by Ascension Elmbrook is used by the market to provide additional tokens to those who are part of the FoodShare program. Ascension’s match money is used to double someone’s buying power. The Brookfield Farmers Market allows participants to receive an extra $20 per month when they have at least $20 deducted from their FoodShare account. Those in the program can use those tokens to purchase fresh and healthy food around the market.
“Healthy eating is the first step toward a healthy community,” Ascension Elmbrook Community Health Lead Nancy Shea said. “A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of several chronic diseases which can decrease the need for medication or other treatments.”
In addition to healthy food, Ascension Elmbrook has a booth set up at the Brookfield Farmers Market every other week, staffed with medical professionals to discuss healthy eating, exercise and a variety of healthcare topics with anyone who is interested. It allows Ascension Elmbrook associates to reach anyone in the community who may not have regular access to care or know where to find it.
“As the only hospital in Brookfield, Ascension Elmbrook clinicians know it’s important to let the public know their local hospital cares about them,” Shea said. “Our Ascension Mission calls us to sustain and improve the health of both the individuals and the communities we serve.”
Each year, Ascension Elmbrook invests in the Brookfield Farmers Market. In 2024, that contribution was $2,000. FoodShare is a statewide initiative, and this donation goes toward families who are in low-income households.
The money contributed by Ascension Elmbrook is used by the market to provide additional tokens to those who are part of the FoodShare program. Ascension’s match money is used to double someone’s buying power. The Brookfield Farmers Market allows participants to receive an extra $20 per month when they have at least $20 deducted from their FoodShare account. Those in the program can use those tokens to purchase fresh and healthy food around the market.
“Healthy eating is the first step toward a healthy community,” Ascension Elmbrook Community Health Lead Nancy Shea said. “A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of several chronic diseases which can decrease the need for medication or other treatments.”
In addition to healthy food, Ascension Elmbrook has a booth set up at the Brookfield Farmers Market every other week, staffed with medical professionals to discuss healthy eating, exercise and a variety of healthcare topics with anyone who is interested. It allows Ascension Elmbrook associates to reach anyone in the community who may not have regular access to care or know where to find it.
“As the only hospital in Brookfield, Ascension Elmbrook clinicians know it’s important to let the public know their local hospital cares about them,” Shea said. “Our Ascension Mission calls us to sustain and improve the health of both the individuals and the communities we serve.”
