BUCKHANNON – It’s a ‘snap’ to eat in a healthy, cost-effective manner if green beans are part of your diet.

That’s the message behind the annual Green Bean Weekend, organized by Create Buckhannon member and local physician Dr. Joseph Reed.

Reed came to Buckhannon City Council’s Thursday meeting to tell city officials and residents to mark their calendars for Aug. 8-10 for the Fourth Annual Green Bean Weekend and Volunteerism Weekend.

The weekend is about recognizing hunger is still prevalent in the Buckhannon-Upshur community and that green beans “are a productive and nutritious vegetable crop that is easily grown and harvested,” Reed said, reading his proclamation signed by Buckhannon mayor David McCauley.

Reed said leading up to the Aug. 8-10 weekend, he’s urging all residents to grow green beans or purchase them at a farmers’ market – and snap them prior to delivering them to the Upshur Parish House.

“At Create Buckhannon on Aug. 8, come and help snap beans. At Festival Fridays on Aug. 9, come by and help snap beans,” Reed said.

Green Bean Weekend organizers are adding an element of friendly, competitive fun by holding the first-ever Green Bean Cook-off. Entrants should bring their pot, beans, recipe, ingredient and enter the cook-off, Reed said.

In addition, a one-mile walk will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Riverwalk Trail. The price of entry is one bag of snapped beans on $5, Reed said.

“We invite all to the Green Bean Stroll … to walk, run, ride a wheelbarrow, stroller, wheelchair, roller skates, skateboard, bicycle, little red wagon, electric scooter for the handicapped or any other non-motorized transportation to celebrate activity,” Reed said.