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Harvest Home Brings Local, Farm-Fresh Produce to Soundview

Harvest Home Brings Local, Farm-Fresh Produce to Soundview

New York, NY (June 19, 2015)—Harvest Home Farmers Market announces the opening of a new farmers market in the Soundview area of the Bronx, bringing the total of farmers markets operated by the organization this summer to nineteen. For the past 22 years, Harvest Home has been bringing affordable, nutritious, farm-fresh produce to high-need, under-served communities throughout New York City. The organization’s mission is to create awareness of the benefits of healthy eating, to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and to provide nutrition education to help low-income residents achieve healthy lifestyles. Maritza Owens, Harvest Homes’ CEO pointed out, “The Soundview Farmers Market will be our ninth location in the Bronx. We are dedicated to increasing access to local, farm-fresh produce to some of New York City’s most impoverished and underserved communities where a large number of residents suffer high rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. Harvest Home has made purchasing produce at farmers markets easier as our farmers accept SNAP, debit and credit cards, Health Bucks, and WIC and Senior Farmers Market coupons and checks.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Harvest Home Soundview Farmers Market will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 11 a.m. This new market, located at Morrison Avenue between Harrod Place and Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, will serve more than 60,000 residents, including approximately 10,000 SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/food stamp) recipients. The market will offer farm fresh fruits and vegetables from Alstede farms, a New Jersey grower. Harvest Home will also be launching its “Eating for Good Health” mobile app, which enables local residents to search for recipes, ingredients, and grocery items available at the market that match their personal dietary restrictions and food preferences. Having a farmers market in this area has been a long held dream of Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo (D- Bronx, 85th AD). And he, in conjunction with other New York State and New York City Elected Officials from the Bronx heartily welcome Harvest Home Farmers market to the Soundview community. Assemblyman Crespo noted that, “Healthy eating habits promote overall healthy lifestyles, which is why I am excited about welcoming Harvest Home Farmers Market to Soundview.” He pointed out that “Bringing in an array of healthy and organic produce to our community, in an affordable way, enhances healthier choices for both adults and children.” Council Member Annabel Palma (D-Bronx, 18th Council District), a big supporter of the market stated, “I am excited to have a new farmers market in the Soundview section of my district; now my community will have better access to healthy food. I firmly believe that, when given the opportunities, New Yorkers want to eat healthy – they simply need to be provided the option.” To encourage residents to shop at the Harvest Home Soundview Farmers Market, Harvest Home is partnering with the Institute of Family Health through its Bronx Health REACH program to issue Fruit and Vegetable Rx to its patients at the Stevenson Health Center. The Rx can be exchanged for Health Bucks at the farmers market to purchase produce. Bronx Health REACH’s Director Charmaine Ruddock notes, “The Soundview Farmers Market represents a significant win for the Soundview community looking to buy fresh, farm grown produce in their neighborhood. With the Bronx having some of the highest rates of diet-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes in New York State, the Soundview Farmers Market will provide a means for making fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable for local residents.” Neil S. Calman, MD, President and CEO of The Institute for Family Health stated, “I am thrilled that there is a farmers market opening in Soundview. We, at the Institute for Family Health, are deeply invested in improving the health and well-being of the residents of the Bronx and bringing fresh fruits and vegetables is a major breakthrough.” “We are happy to see the growth of farmers markets throughout our city and especially in our community. We support and applaud the commitment of Harvest Home Farmers Market growth to expand the opportunities of fresh foods from our best farms for our residents,” said William Rivera of Community Board 9. Several elected officials, including Senator Jeffrey Klein, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senators Ruben Diaz, Sr. and Gustavo Rivera commended Harvest Homes on the opening of the market. Saturday’s events include cooking demonstrations held throughout the day and a Bronx based disc jockey playing music. The Soundview Farmers Market can be reached by taking the 6 train to the Morrison Ave-Soundview station or the Bx4, Bx4a, Bx27 buses. Harvest Home Farmers Market will operate every Saturday rain or shine from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through November 21st, 2015. WIC, FMNP Coupons, Senior FMNP Coupons, Health Bucks, SNAP (EBT) and Debit/Credit Cards will be accepted.

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Harvest Home Farmer’s Market (www.harvesthomefm.org) is a New York City-based, 501(c)3, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to local, farm-fresh produce in low-income neighborhoods. Founded in 1993, our markets create community gathering places that educate the public about health and nutrition that supports regional agriculture and provides job opportunities. The market is approved to accept SNAP/EBT benefits, Farmers Market Nutrition Program WIC and Senior Coupons, Health Bucks and Debit/Credit Cards. The Institute for Family Health (www.institute.org) is a federally qualified health center network that operates 27 practices in New York State serving more than 90,000 patients annually. Services are available to people of all ages, regardless of ability to pay. The Institute for Family Health’s Bronx Health REACH (www.bronxhealthreach.org) coalition, founded in 1999, is committed to eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in the Bronx.