Better Eating at Eight HHC Farmers Markets

News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2014

Public hospital farmers markets bring fresh fruits and vegetables, fighting obesity and chronic disease

New York, NY – The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) will host farmers markets at eight of its hospitals this year, helping to make fresh fruits and vegetables available and promote healthy eating habits for all New Yorkers.

HHC’s farmers markets offer a variety of regionally-grown vegetables, fruits, fresh juices and flowers in communities where residents sometimes lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices. Numerous programs are in place to help residents take advantage of farmers markets, and shoppers can take advantage of a variety of payment options, including EBT/SNAP, Health Bucks, Green Checks, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coupons.

“Proper eating is a critical part of maintaining good health, and fruits and vegetables are a critical part of proper eating,” said HHC President Dr. Ram Raju. “Along with regular checkups and exercise, a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables keeps people fit and helps to control or avoid chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Farmers markets directly support HHC’s efforts to make communities healthy and we’re very happy to keep expanding the program to bring affordable food options to more and more neighborhoods.”

HHC offers a variety of services to help New Yorkers control their weight, manage chronic conditions and learn about healthy eating and lifestyles, all available regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. To locate the nearest facility, see HHC’s newly redesigned website at http://www.nyc.gov/hhc.

Five of the HHC farmers markets are hosted in partnership with the local non-profit organization Harvest Home Farmer’s Market.

Market hours and locations:

Manhattan

Metropolitan Hospital Center
99th Street and Third Avenue
June 27 to November 1
Fridays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed July 4)

Harlem Hospital
Lenox Avenue between 136th and 137th Streets
Open June 27 to November 1
Fridays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed July 4)

Bronx

Jacobi Medical Center
1400 Pelham Parkway, on the pedestrian mall in front of the hospital
June 10 to November 25
Tuesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed July 4)

North Central Bronx Hospital
Mosholu Parkway North and Jerome Avenue
July 9 to November 26
Wednesdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lincoln Medical Center
149th Street between Morris and Park Avenue
June 27 to November 22
Tuesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Brooklyn

Coney Island Hospital
2100 Ocean Parkway between Ave. Z and Shore Rd.
June 25 to November 26
Wednesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed July 4)

Queens

Queens Hospital Center
Side of The Pavilion at 82-68 164th Street
July 10 to November 13
Thursdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Elmhurst Hospital Center
41st Avenue between 80th and 81st streets
Now to December 23
Tuesdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.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, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area's largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. 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, five 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.nyc.gov/hhc or find us on facebook.com/nycHHC or twitter.com/HHCnyc.