Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market Celebrates Success

July 28, 2016 | Community News, Community News and Media, Trenton

On Monday, July 25, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon and the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher visited Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market to participate in a special event commemorating the market as the first in the state to host a summer dinner program.

Nearly one in two children in Trenton are overweight or obese. And according to a recent study released by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, residents in Trenton are more likely to have a shorter lifespan than neighboring communities. The study notes that a complex web of factors impacts the disparities that exist, including poverty, environmental factors and access to education, jobs, affordable housing, nutritious food, places for physical activity, health care, and social services.

The Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market is just one way that Trenton is helping to close the health gap and increase longevity. Two years ago, the market location was a vacant parking lot. Today, the site is a bustling community hub where hundreds gather for healthy options every week.

Access to healthy, affordable food options, various health screenings, socialization and a safe place for children to run and play are just some of the family benefits. Last year, more than 4,000 residents visited the market and this year nearly 1,000 have already taken advantage of the healthy options available. Participating families are also benefiting from the dollar-for-dollar incentives offered by the market which allow them to stretch their dollars while providing nutritious meals for their families.

The summer meal program is also helping to combat hunger and, more importantly, provides free, healthy meals to Trenton children. The program kicked off on Monday, June 27 and each week serves more than 50 kids within a two-hour timeframe.

As we celebrate our second season, we are excited about the progress made by the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market and hope that the market continues to be a positive community showcase for creating an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice for our families.

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