Anesti is a Farmers Market regular who shops weekly at REC Mobile Markets. Originally from a small town in southern Albania, Anesti has lived in Worcester for the past 22 years and just celebrated his anniversary of arriving to the United States. Prior to moving to Worcester, Anesti was a veterinarian who worked for over twenty years managing a state run farm in Albania. He currently lives with his wife but has two grown children and four grandchildren, all of whom live and work in Worcester.
When he and his wife found their home in Worcester, one of the first things he did was to clear bushes, trees, and roots from the small backyard to plant his garden. He now grows lettuce, onions, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. “Vegetables are the best food to feed yourself. From vegetables, comes all the medicine in the world,” Anesti says. He grows as much as he can in his garden, but the space is small. A big fan of garlic, Anesti purchases local garlic at the market to eat and to plant in his own garden. What he can’t grow, he purchases as the farmers market.
When asked about the impact of the Healthy Incentives Program, Anesti says, “This program is so good. As much as I can do to grow my own food, the market has better product, more options. It’s very good for my health. I don’t know what the future is for this program but especially for seniors, it’s so important. I sometimes come to the market just to help others, to explain the program. A friend of mine’s wife has had a stroke, I come to help him. The people here in America understand that some people who live here need help and it makes a difference.”
For more information about HIP, and the Campaign for HIP Funding, click here.
Thanks to the Regional Environmental Council for writing these stories.
