From Mayor Bill Finch:
A “food desert” in the city’s East End is becoming less of a desert as a new farmer’s market debuts this weekend.
“People need and deserve access to good food, and now folks in the East End will have it,” said Mayor Bill Finch.
The East End Farmer’s Market will be open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 27 at 985 Stratford Ave.
The City’s Farmers Markets program was initiated in conjunction with Mayor Finch’s BGreen 2020 sustainability initiative.
“Through our BGreen 2020 efforts, we are working hard to improve the health and quality of life of our residents,” said Mayor Finch. “The Farmers Markets help promote a sustainable, healthy lifestyle by providing access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables.”
On Thursday, Mayor Finch and Health Department Director Kristin duBay-Horton attended the Downtown Farmer’s Market to talk about the new addition to the City’s growing list of markets.
The benefit of fresh, whole foods is well documented. They can prevent cancer, obesity and diabetes, and generally improve a person’s health.
“Leafy greens help reduce the risk of lead poisoning and fresh fruits and vegetables are key to a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
The East End is what is known as a food desert, an area where there is limited or no access to fresh food.
The new market, like the others in the city, provides a full array of healthy, fresh-from-the-farm alternatives.
“We love the fact that they are all local farmers at a time when many farms are being sold and turned into condos,” said duBay-Horton.
Another collaboration is with non-profit Cooking Matters. In the coming weeks, a representative will attend the markets and conduct cooking demonstrations using simple recipes and provide free samples–all made from produce available at the markets.
“That’s one aspect that makes our farmers markets unique. People can not only buy fresh, local produce but learn how to cook delicious meals,” said Mayor Finch.
In addition, shoppers who receive SNAP, WIC or Senior benefits can double their buying power. With each visit, the city will match up to $6 on purchases of fruits and vegetables.
The markets will be held at:
· St. Vincent’s Farm Stand on Tuesdays from 12 to 4 p.m. at 2800 Main St.
Presented by Wholesome Wave
· East Side Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 752 E. Main St.
Presented by Wholesome Wave and the Bridgeport Department of Health and Human Services
· Downtown Farm Fresh on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McLevy Green. The market will stay open until 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month and be open on the first Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Presented by the Downtown Special Services District
· East End Farmers Market on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 985 Stratford Ave.
Presented by Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, Inc. and Bridgeport Department of Health and Social Services
Mayor Finch, are you kidding me, you don’t/can’t believe that bullshit, “People need and deserve access to good food, and now folks in the East End will have it,” just because there will be a FARMERS MARKET on the East End. So the answer to not having a grocery store is this farmers market that’s open only on Sundays and closes for good on October 27th.
What do the people do Monday through Saturday and after October? Don’t answer, that’s rhetorical.
The good people of the East End deserve a grocery store just like every other section of the City of Bridgeport.
Where is the outrage of District Leader Ralph Ford, Councilmen James Holloway and Andre Baker, State Representative Don Clemons and State Senator Andres Ayala? These individuals should stand up like the men they are supposed to be and demand their constituents have access to year-around fresh vegetables, fresh meats and fish without having to spend their money at corner stores that have less than fresh goods at exorbitant prices. One begins to believe they don’t care about their constituents because they all have big nice new cars they can drive to any store in the city to shop for their families.
I remember when if you wanted fresh vegetables and meats you could go to Mohican Market, or wanted fresh baked goods you could to Ann’s Newfield Bakery or had a prescription to fill you could go to Ricco Pharmacy. Now the good people of the East End have absolutely nothing or no one for these services.
You can still walk two blocks in any direction and buy a bottle of liquor, that hasn’t changed. Why is it easier to buy liquor on the East End than quality foods?
Mayor Finch, don’t pat yourself on the back because you haven’t done a damn thing to help uplift the lives of the good people of the East End of Bridgeport and those elected individuals, you have done LESS than the Mayor! Get your heads out of your asses and start to look out for the people who need your help the most!
Mr. Day, you are absolutely correct. I know there has been talk for way too long about a grocery store in the area in question. I will assume Compare Market is not close enough on lower East Main St. I wonder if the department of Economic development is actively attempting to bring a store to the neighborhood. A problem is a major grocery chain may not feel it will be profitable to build a shopping center there. They just built a gorgeous shopping center downtown to take care of future development. RIFKAS IS BEAUTIFUL, THE DELI, FISH AND MEATS ARE TOP NOTCH AND A BEAUTIFUL ADDITION TO DOWNTOWN. I wonder if the locals have patronized it.
Mr. Day, this need could actually be an opportunity for a local neighbor to get special grants and loans from the STATE AND CITY. SEED MONEY, MINORITY BUSINESS LOANS. STEEL POINT CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH BUT A LOCAL LIKE YOURSELF COULD BECOME VERY SUCCESSFUL ACKNOWLEDGING A GREAT NEED. I AGREE, YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS NEED TO SPEAK UP. GOOD LUCK, MR. DAY. I AGREE WITH YOU.
Farmers Markets have gone downhill in Bridgeport since the first one was started in Baldwin Plaza in 1987.
The Finch Administration can boast of a McDonalds Complex at the old King Cole site that will truly bring the lower income populace to new lows in nutrition, Type II Diabetes, Childhood Obesity and Obesity in general while supporting mega agribusiness GMO production, fossil fuel consumption, mistreatment of animals and all kinds of ailments in humans. Thank you Finch, this is the story behind the story. McFinch!
*** NEON VEGETABLES ONLY AT THE PARK CITY MARKET! ***
Finch, you once again have failed the people of the East End. No supermarkets or banks. You have lied to these people time and time again.