NCB celebrates the opening of Harvest Home Farmer’s Mark

To celebrate the provision of affordable healthy dietary options for patients, employees and the local community, a vine cutting event was held on July 23 to kick off the North Central Bronx Harvest Home Farmer’s Market. Located on the corner of Mosholu Parkway North and Jerome Avenue (adjacent to the Mosholu Parkway Station on the #4 line), the market will operate every Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through mid-November and will feature a wide assortment of fresh produce from numerous regional farmers, as well as baked goods and specialty items.

Maritza Wellington-Owens, CEO and founder of Harvest Home, has been instrumental in developing several farmer’s markets in the Bronx to increase access to high quality, regionally grown farm fresh produce.  Ms. Owens said, “We are very pleased to partner with North Central Bronx Hospital and other community-based organizations to open another wonderful market in the Bronx.  Local residents will enjoy fresh produce that is grown in New York State.  Specialty items complement the experience.”

 “This market builds upon the success of the market opened last summer on Pelham Parkway in front of our sister institution, Jacobi Medical Center,” said Arthur Wagner, executive director of North Central Bronx Hospital,

The Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) had a major role in locating the site and gaining approval for the market. “We are happy to have facilitated communication with Community Board 7 to help make this market a reality,” said Dart Westphal, president of the MPC. “We are particularly grateful for the assistance of Parks, NYPD and the Department of Transportation in realizing this site.”

At the market, participants in the Women, Infants, Children’s (WIC) program and Senior Citizens’ Meals Programs can redeem New York State Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks to purchase produce.   In addition, shoppers who receive Health Bucks coupons from the NYC Department of Health District Public Health Offices are encouraged to use these $2 coupons to purchase produce as well.

Each week at the market, health educators from NCBH will offer educational materials and programs on healthy eating, nutrition and other areas.

The market is operated by Harvest Home Farmer’s Market, Inc. (HHFM) a not-for-profit organization providing farm grown fruits and vegetables and nutritional information to families and seniors.  HHFM has been in operation since 1992 and is responsible for opening the second open-air farmer’s market in the Bronx 16 years ago.  Since then, Harvest Home and other community-based organizations have helped to establish additional farmer’s markets in the Bronx, to increase access to high quality, regionally grown farm fresh produce for all Bronx residents.  These markets also help to strengthen neighborhoods by providing a meeting place for the community and by increasing pedestrian traffic in business districts.  

For further information call (718) 918-3827.