HHC Hospitals Host Farmers Markets to Jumpstart Healthy Eating
Jul 06, 2012
Shoppers select fresh fruit
at the Metropolitan Hospital
farmers market.
Chef at Coney Island Hospital
farmers market demonstrates use of
healthy ingredients.
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) welcomes back farmers markets at several public hospital campuses this summer, making healthy food available in communities where residents don’t always have access to fresh fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices.
Farmers markets are open now through November, with one market, at Metropolitan Hospital Center, opening today. Another market at Queens Hospital Center is open year-round. A variety of vegetables, fruits, fresh juices and flowers that are all regionally grown will be offered on a weekly basis.
“By providing healthy and affordable dietary options for patients, employees and the local community, these farmers markets support HHC’s efforts to keep communities healthy, particularly helping to prevent obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. “At HHC we promote healthy eating, along with regular checkups and exercise, to help people stay physically fit and to control the chronic diseases that affect many of our patients. It’s part of a citywide and nationwide effort to improve the eating habits of children and adults.”
HHC has for several years had healthy eating and weight loss programs throughout its facilities to help New Yorkers of all ages boost their health and physical fitness. The public hospitals are also part of a recently formed city-wide anti-obesity task force made up of 10 city agencies. The task force was established to develop strategies and initiatives to help New Yorkers stay healthy and fight rising health concerns.
HHC’s promotion of healthy and sustainable produce offered at markets this summer and fall will help introduce the concept of healthier food options to more New Yorkers.
The farmers markets are hosted in partnership with Harvest Home and Greenmarket. Shoppers can pay for their fresh fruits and leafy greens using EBT cards (food stamps), Health Bucks, Green Checks, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coupons.
Here is a list of farmers markets at HHC hospitals:
Manhattan:
Metropolitan Hospital Center: Market located at 99th street and Third Avenue. July 6- Nov.16. Fridays between 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Bronx:
Jacobi Hospital Center: Market located at 1400 Pelham Parkway, on the new Jacobi Pedestrian Mall directly in front of the hospital. Open now through Thanksgiving. Tuesdays between 8a.m.- 4p.m.
North Central Bronx Hospital: Market located at the corner of Mosholu Parkway N. and Jerome Avenue. Mid- July through Thanksgiving. Wednesdays between 8a.m.- 6p.m.
Lincoln Medical Center: Market located at 149th street between Morris and Park Avenue. June 29- Nov. 20. Tuesdays and Fridays between 8a.m- 3p.m.
Brooklyn:
Coney Island Hospital: Market located at 2100 Ocean Parkway. June 15- Nov. 16. Fridays between 10a.m.- 2p.m.
Queens:
Queens Hospital Center: Market located at 164th street and 82nd road, sidewalk pavilion under the east bridge. June 14- mid Nov. Thursdays between 8a.m.- 4p.m.
Elmhurst Hospital Center: Market located at 41st avenue between 80th and 81st street. July 10- Nov. 20. Tuesdays between 8a.m.- 5p.m.
Contact: Ian Michaels (HHC) (212) 788-3339
About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system with its own 420,000 member health plan, MetroPlusHealth, and is the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nychhc.org/hhc or find us on facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or twitter.com/NYCHealthSystem.