The Market at the Pinehills Named ‘Healthy Market’

The Market at The Pinehills has been designated Plymouth, Mass.’ first “Healthy Market” by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Jordan Hospital and Healthy Plymouth. The “Mass in Motion Healthy Market” program, an MDPH initiative, works with local grocery and convenience store owners to make healthy, affordable food and beverage options accessible to customers.

“The Market at The Pinehills meets all of the criteria we outlined for a Healthy Market,” said Marcia Richards, Healthy Plymouth nutrition facilitator and Jordan Hospital dietitian. “They have a tremendous variety of fresh, local produce; offer healthy food options throughout the store, including many gluten-free, low-sodium and low-fat products; comply with all tobacco and alcohol regulations; and so much more. The Market at The Pinehills and the Healthy Market program are a perfect fit.”

On Monday, Aug. 12, the Healthy Market program will launch at The Market at The Pinehills with comments from such speakers as Peter Holden, Jordan Hospital president; Cheryl Bartlett, Massachusetts’ commissioner of public health; and Sue Blackington-Harris, the store’s general manager.

Following the speakers, event attendees can sample food prepared by chef Dane Axon of The Market and then tour the fresh-focused independent grocery store with Richards and Blackington-Harris, who will point out the various components of the Healthy Market program. A reusable shopping bag containing a recipe book, nutritional guides and samples will go to the first 100 attendees.

Under the program, The Market at The Pinehills will feature special Healthy Market signage placed beside products throughout the store to help shoppers locate nutritious choices. Additionally, Jordan Hospital and Axson are collaborating to have nutritional information available for a weekly rotation of select prepared foods, providing calories, fat content, protein and sodium content per serving.

“It is our goal to serve as the community’s go-to market for healthy, nutritious food in a convenient and welcoming setting,” said Blackington- Harris.

Healthy Plymouth was established in 2011 by Jordan Hospital, the town of Plymouth and the Plymouth public schools to reduce obesity, improve nutrition and promote active living in Plymouth. In recognition of the program, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the MDPH awarded Plymouth a community transformation grant to help fund the work. Plymouth is now one of a select group of towns to be accepted into the Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness Program.