Eating fresh gets so much easier by the end of June when all the local farmer’s markets are open for business. I cant wait because the one right around the corner from my office in downtown Danbury finally opens this Friday.
That’s right, the Danbury Farmers’ Market in Kennedy Park opens this Friday, June 28th. The market will run every Friday from 11:30am to 5:30pm until Oct. 25th.
As part of the DFMCC “Better Health Through Better Food” initiative, a Wellness van will be on site on opening day, and a UConn SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Education Nutritionist will be there each Friday to introduce visitors to the ChooseMyPlate 10 Tips Nutrition Education series. HARTransit provides return bus passes for program participants to access the market. Thanks to grants from the Fairfield County Community Foundation and programs like SNAP and The Farmers Market Nutrition Program, the DFMCC can offer those considered “nutritionally at-risk” with up to an additional $9 per market day towards purchases.
Peggy Zamore, CDN, MPH, DFMCC Director and public health nutritionist, says the “Better Health through Better Food” project addresses food inequality and significant concern about health issues associated with diabetes, heart disease and childhood obesity. “A nutritionist can teach about the right foods to eat for health, but without the resources to buy those healthy choices, many people cannot afford to change the way they eat. This program provides those resources, by giving people extra money to purchase the fresh fruits and vegetables they like and need to eat, but cannot typically afford. Our program, by giving an additional $9 per market, will, over the course of the season, have a very positive health impact.”
Hope to see you at the market!