Nationwide Children’s Hospital to Host Farmer’s Markets

Find The Wayward Seed Farm and other farmers there...

COLUMBUS, OH, July 08, 2009 —

Fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods will be available for employees, community residents and visitors at three Farmer’s Markets hosted by Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The first Farmer’s Market will be held on Monday, July 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. near Nationwide Children’s Human Resources building in parking lot E-4.

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Employee Wellness program invites all surrounding communities to our second annual Farmer’s Markets,” said Cindi Solomon, program coordinator. “Local residents are encouraged to shop healthy.”

During the first Farmer’s Market, attendees can browse the market for fresh produce and gather health information. A cooking demonstration from Nationwide Children’s employees Matthew Schenk, executive chef, and Kari DuBro, employee wellness dietitian, will show registered participants how to prepare some of the market’s produce and provide samples. Cooking demonstrations are open to the public by registering with EmployeeWellness@NationwideChildrens.org.

Farmer’s Markets are an initiative of Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Families, a public-private community collaborative focusing on neighborhood revitalization in Columbus’ South Side.

“Nationwide Children's Hospital's Farmer's Markets represent a great active living tool for their employees and a commitment to workplace wellness,” said Barb Seckler, director of the Institute for Active Living at Columbus Public Health. “By inviting neighborhood residents to participate, providing them with better access and opportunity for local, nutritious food, Nationwide Children’s is taking this initiative to the next level and Columbus Public Health is pleased to be a partner.”

Future Farmer’s Markets will be held on August 17 and September 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. near Nationwide Children’s Human Resources building.