Norris Square Farmers’ Market Opened in North Philly
Sunday, August 08, 2010
August 6, 2010
Philadelphia, August 5, 2010 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Health Commissioner and Deputy Mayor
Dr. Donald F. Schwarz officially opened the Norris Square Farmers’ Market in North Philadelphia. Over the next two years, the City – via a partnership between the Department of Public Health and the Food Trust – will open ten new farmers’ markets in communities that currently do not have adequate access to fresh and healthy foods.
These markets were made possible in part by a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Putting Prevention to Work initiative, which aims to promote healthy nutrition and increase physical activity. The farmers’ markets not only increase residents’ access to fresh and healthy foods but they also make such foods more affordable. The Norris Square Farmers’ Market is one of
over 15 markets across the City that now accepts Philly Food Bucks. Through Philly Food Bucks, Food Stamp beneficiaries can receive $2 of free fruits and vegetables for every $5 they spend in a participating farmers’ market.
The Norris Square Farmers’ Market is the second of the ten markets scheduled to open over the next two years. The City has already opened a market in South Philadelphia at Broad and Ritner and there are two more markets scheduled to open this summer. The Farmers’ Markets are only one part of the federally funded Putting Prevention to Work initiative. The City is working with partners in government, community, business, and academia to make healthy foods more available and affordable and increase opportunities for safe, structured physical activity.As such, the Health Department will:
• help 1,000 corner stores sell healthier products.
• establish wellness councils in 200 schools to remove junk foods from school stores, classrooms and fundraisers.
• engage large and mid-sized employers to create healthier workplaces by making a number of changes, including offering healthy choices in vending machines and supporting employees to join health clubs and gyms.
• create and implement nutrition standards for over 300 after-school programs funded by the City.