In an effort to make healthy eating more accessible to Brooklynites, NYC Health + Hospitals is partnering with Harvest Home Farmers Market and GrowNYC to host farmers markets at Kings County Hospital and other health care facilities throughout the borough.
"Part of our work at Health + Hospitals is to understand the needs of the communities we serve to guarantee they have all of the tools necessary to live healthy lives," said Dr. Mitchell Katz, president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. "Proper nutrition is foundational to good health and we want to make sure we're providing New Yorkers with affordable and convenient food options to help control or avoid chronic health conditions."
Farmers markets offer a variety of affordable, regionally grown vegetables, fruits and fresh juices in communities where residents sometimes lack access to quality produce at reasonable prices. Shopping at farmers markets supports regional agriculture and helps educate communities about the importance of healthy eating through on-site cooking and nutrition demonstrations, health tips and healthy recipes, as well as information about how eating fruits and vegetables can prevent or control the symptoms of obesity and chronic disease.
The farmers markets will set up shop every Wednesday at Kings County Hospital and Woodhull Hospital, as well as on Fridays at Coney Island Hospital, from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
The markets will accept various payment options including EBT/SNAP, Health Bucks and Greenmarket Bucks, Green Checks, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coupons. In addition, Harvest Home Farmers Markets offer $2 "Health Seniors Healthy Shoppers" coupons for eligible seniors.
