Farmers’ Market, HMO Offer NYC a Summer of ‘Eating for Good Health’

Harvest Home Farmer’s Market and EmblemHealth are providing locally grown fruits and vegetables, cooking demonstrations and health-and-wellness screenings to New York City residents this summer through the companies’ “Eating for Good Health” program. Slated to begin the week of July 10-14, the demos will debut with special activities, giveaways and health screenings.

“Good health starts with excellent nutrition, and there is no better time to start than summer when produce is fresh and abundant,” said William A. Gillespie, chief medical officer at New York-based EmblemHealth, which, through its companies, Group Health Inc. (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), provides health care coverage and administrative services to about 2.8 million people in the New York metropolitan area. “Good nutrition helps hold down extra weight, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.”

Supported by EmblemHealth, Harvest Home Farmer’s Markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem and Queens will offer direct access to fruits and vegetables from local farms, and live cooking demos by community educators using foods found at the markets to prepare healthy dishes, along with recipe cards of each meal in English and Spanish, including nutritional information. EmblemHealth will provide $1 off purchases at the markets to Medicaid members; health screenings and information throughout the summer; and vouchers for a free glucose meter.

“EmblemHealth’s support is instrumental in our mission to educate families about the health benefits of eating fresh, local and seasonal produce and how to prepare delicious, healthy meals,” noted Maritza Wellington Owens, CEO and founder of East Harlem-based Harvest Home, a pioneer in giving low-income communities access to farmers’ markets and creator of the “Eating for Good Health” initiative for underserved residents.