East End Farmer’s Market Opens

From Mayor Bill Finch:

Looking for fresh fruit and vegetables in the desert? Look no further than Bridgeport’s East End at 985 Stratford Avenue.

The City will celebrate the official opening of the East End Farmer’s Market Sunday. It should be a festive event.

Mayor Bill Finch will be there. There will be planting activities for children. And a representative from Cooking Matters will be there. This is a very, interesting program where a chef will stir up a delicious, healthy dish using items that can be purchased at the farmer’s market, hand out free samples and the recipe so people can make it at home. It is a great visual for TV.

As usual, our Health Department will be there promoting healthy homes, highlighting healthy eating and offering doubling of Senior, WIC and Farmer’s Market vouchers.

“This is such a great addition to the East End,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “People now have fresh, local and healthy food choices within walking distance. Even better, people utilizing SNAP, WIC and Senior Farmers Markets checks can double their buying power.”

WHAT: East End Farmer’s Market

WHERE: 985 Stratford Ave.

WHEN: Sunday, July 28, 2013

WHEN: 1 p.m.

The city’s East End is what health officials describe as a “food desert,” an area with little to no access to fresh food.

That means residents living there don’t have a full-service grocery store within a mile and that often leaves them shopping at local bodegas, corner stores and convenience stores.

These markets are assets to the community and provide options that help people stay healthy, said Kristin duBay-Horton, the health department director.

“In some Bridgeport Neighborhoods Bridgeport residents cannot access foods to keep them healthy. In a 2011 survey only 10 of 225 small stores surveyed carried fresh vegetables, fruits, and skim milk. We know these items help reduce the risk of lead poisoning, they prevent diabetes and cancer. These markets close that gap and provide access in three Bridgeport ‘food deserts’.”

The markets are held at:

· St. Vincent’s Farm Stand on Tuesdays from 12 to 4 p.m. at 2800 Main St.

· East Side Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 752 E. Main St.

· 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.

· East End Farmers Market on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 985 Stratford Ave.

SNAP, WIC and Senior Farmers Markets checks accepted. Participants can receive $6 in free vouchers for every $6 spent.