Farmers Market and Kick-off -- 7.31.2014
COLUMBUS
PUBLIC HEALTH – Media Advisory
FOR
THURSDAY, July 31, 2014
Contact: Jose
Rodriguez (614)
604-5025 [email protected]
Farmers
Market and Kick-off Event to be held Today at Columbus Public Health
Farmers
Market will Bring Locally Grown Produce to Area Neighborhoods
WHAT:
Columbus Public Health’s first
Farmers Market of the summer and kick-off event to increase access to fresh
fruits and vegetables in city neighborhoods.
WHO:
Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman; Columbus Public Health Medical
Director and Assistant Health Commissioner Mysheika Williams Roberts; and,
The Ohio State University College of Public Health Dean William J. Martin,
II, MD.
WHEN:
Today, July 31, Kick-off Ceremony – 9:45 a.m., Farmers Market – 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE:
Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Ave.
DETAILS:
Columbus Public Health will kick-off its 2014 season of Farmers Markets with a
brief ribbon cutting, featuring: Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman;
Columbus Public Health Medical Director and Assistant Health Commissioner
Mysheika Williams Roberts; and, The Ohio State University College
of Public Health Dean William J. Martin, II, MD.
Following
the ceremony, Columbus Public Health will open its first of three signature
markets where central Ohio farmers will offer locally grown fresh fruits and
vegetables to neighborhood residents and participants of the Women, Infants and
Children (WIC) nutrition program and the Ohio Direction Card.
Approximately
216,221 Franklin County residents use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)
benefits (formerly food stamps). For the first time, SNAP users can get
more fresh produce for their families at five Columbus farmers markets,
including the one at Columbus Public Health. Card users will get $20 in
coupons for $10 spent on fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Other
participating markets include the Clintonville, Franklinton Gardens, Franklin
Park Conservatory, Pearl Markets and Bexley farmers markets.
The
markets support Columbus Public Health’s mission of protecting health and
improving lives because many chronic health conditions – including obesity,
overweight and diabetes – are related to poor nutrition.
Thousands
of community members are expected to attend the markets which are in their 10th
year. Additional Farmers Markets will be held on August 7 and August 14
at Columbus Public Health.
MORE INFO: For more information, visit Columbus
Public Health at www.publichealth.columbus.gov
or Facebook/Twitter.
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