Spectrum Health Offers Additions to Farmers’ Market, More Options for Area Families

Spectrum Health’s 2012 Farmers’ Market will offer more options and advantages for people shopping for fresh and healthy food.

The weekly markets will be held each Tuesday beginning June 5 through October 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The primary market is adjacent to the Spectrum Health Medical Center and located at Crescent Park, 301 Bostwick NE. A one-farm produce booth will be at Blodgett Hospital, 1840 Wealthy Street SE, on the same dates but from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The primary market will host a number of local farms and artisans and also offer lunch in addition to fresh produce. Healthy eating cooking demonstrations will be held twice monthly. More information can be found at spectrumhealth.org/farmers-market.

Spectrum Health is taking several steps this year to make produce more affordable and easier to obtain for area neighbors. Cards from USDA’s supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and WIC can be used to purchase produce.

People can also stretch their food dollars using the Double Up Food Bucks program. The Double Up Food Bucks program supports Michigan farmers while increasing access to healthy food for low-income Michigan consumers. Double Up Food Bucks uses funds raised from foundations and corporations to match purchases at farmers’ markets in Michigan: when customers use their SNAP benefits at farmers’ markets, they receive an equal amount of tokens, up to $20 per visit, to use at the market to purchase fresh Michigan-grown produce.

To assist community members in getting to and from the market, Spectrum Health is providing free transportation via the Rapid every Tuesday, June 12 through Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The two locations are Belknap Commons Health Center, 751 Lafayette Avenue NE, and North End Community Ministry, 214 Spencer Street NE.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 190 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 18,000 employees. The organization provided $176.5 million in community benefit during its 2011 fiscal year.