MAYOR NUTTER OPENS FARMERS’ MARKET IN NORRIS SQUARE, ONE OF TEN NEW FARMERS’ MARKETS TO OPEN IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

August 6, 2010rnrnPhiladelphia, 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. rnrn“It’s important for the health of our city that all Philadelphians have access to fresh, healthy and affordable foods,” said Mayor Nutter. “The farmers’ market opening here today is an investment in the health of the people that live and work in the Norris Square community and the local farmers who bring us fresh fruits and vegetables every day.”rnrn“We need to make it easier for people to live healthy lives,” said Deputy Mayor Dr. Schwarz. “One way to do that is to provide affordable fresh fruit and vegetables in Philadelphia neighborhoods where it is often easier to purchases chips and a soda than an apple.”rnrn“Ensuring that everyone has access to healthy, affordable foods is The Food Trust’s mission,” says The Food Trust Executive Director Yael Lehmann. ‘We are thrilled to be working with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on this vital issue.”rnrnThe 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. rnrnAs such, the Health Department will:rn• help 1,000 corner stores sell healthier products.rn• establish wellness councils in 200 schools to remove junk foods from school stores, classrooms and fundraisers.rn• 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.rn• create and implement nutrition standards for over 300 after-school programs funded by the City.