The Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) and North Country Healthy Heart Network have announced the launch of a new Mobile Farmers’ Market that will provide access to fresh fruit and vegetables at 10 community-based stops in Clinton and Franklin counties.
The program is made possible by a grant from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community Health Awards. Partner agencies include Cornell Cooperative Extension and its Eat Well NY program and the New York State Department of Health’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program.
“We are truly excited to provide the Mobile Farmers’ Market to communities that really need our service,” said Richard Lavigne, JCEO’s food service director. “Add in the new salad bar with all fresh vegetables along with fresh bakery products and you have something for everyone.”
JCEO used Excellus funding and grant money secured by the Heart Network from the state’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program to convert a minibus into a mobile market. Starting June 18, the bus will make stops in communities that don’t have access to grocery stores or regular access to fruit and vegetables, or access to reliable transportation. Planned stops include:
Mondays: Franklin County Courthouse in Malone, 10 a.m. to noon, and Constable, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Tuesdays: Yando’s in Malone, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: Alice Hyde, 10 a.m. to noon, and Owls Head, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Thursdays: Chateaugay, 10 a.m.to noon, and Burke, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Fridays: Department of Social Services in Malone, 10 a.m. to noon, and Brainardsville, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
The Heart Network also provided technical assistance with acquiring equipment, promoted the market and connected the program with other community partners.
“JCEO is the perfect community-based organization to grow the idea of a Mobile Farmers’ Market,” said Andrea Goff, program coordinator at the Heart Network. “They have made a natural transition in the past few years from providing on site farmers’ markets at three sites to now reaching ten sites across northern Franklin and Clinton counties. This dream is becoming a reality and the Heart Network could not be more proud and excited to be part of this initiative.”
Excellus’s Community Health Awards support programs that have clear goals to improve the health or health care of specific populations. Grants focus on improving the health status of a community, reducing the incidence of specific diseases, promoting health education and enhancing overall wellness.
For more information about JCEO, visit www.jceo.org.
For more information about the North Country Healthy Heart Network, visit www.heartnetwork.org.
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