5,000 persons, out of 11,000 eligible in Yavapai County, participate in the WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children) managed by the Department of Public Health.

DES reports that as of October 2009 SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – food stamps) recipients in the Verde Valley numbered 9,319 or about 12.7% of the total population.

St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix recently announced that Old Town Mission in Cottonwood will coordinate Senior Food Boxes starting in April and Bread of Life in Camp Verde will receive orders for food from Verde Valley providers.

Submitted by Debra Emmanuelle, of the Verde Food Council organization serving the hungry in Sedona, Cottonwood, Rimrock, Camp Verde and the entire Verde Valley “EVERYBODY EATS” program. The Verde Food Council was formed in February 2009 as a collaborative effort to address dramatically increasing lines of neighbors at food banks and programs in the Verde Valley of Arizona.  Organizations and individuals are working together to carry out an ambitious mission: “To build community support for meeting the needs of the hungry; To increase the production and distribution of locally grown healthy food; And to be a voice for the hungry.” The Council envisions Verde Valley communities where “There is no more hunger; we treat our hungry neighbors with respect; healthy, fresh food is grown and shared; and self-sufficiency is realized by all.” In short, “EVERYBODY EATS” is our vision for a healthy Verde Valley.  We invite you to share the vision and to respond generously. Visit VerdeFood.org for more information.