Spectrum Health to hand out free fresh fruit, veggies in Muskegon on Aug. 27

August 20, 2020

MUSKEGON, Mich., Aug. 20, 2020 – Families in the Muskegon area are invited to pick up a bag of free healthy fresh produce when The Veggie Van makes a stop on Thursday, Aug. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at 1845 Holton Road, Muskegon.

The goal of The Veggie Van program is to ensure that fruits and vegetables are available to people who otherwise have limited access to fresh produce. The Veggie Van, a mobile farmer’s market featuring locally grown, top-quality fruits and vegetables, is a joint project of Spectrum Health and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. The bags will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“Spectrum Health is excited to share free healthy fresh fruits and vegetables with the Muskegon community in a convenient outdoor location where we can safely observe social distancing guidelines,” said Julie Jensen, practice manager of the Spectrum Health Integrated Care Campus-North Muskegon located at 2009 Holton Road. “During these challenging times, Spectrum Health is doing whatever we can to encourage families to eat well and enjoy nutritious food when many people feel safer being outdoors and minimizing indoor interactions. By bringing The Veggie Van to a convenient outdoor site, we hope people will feel comfortable stopping by and picking up a bag of delicious and nutritious fresh produce.”

To avoid contact, the event will be held drive-through style and participants are asked to remain in their cars throughout the event process. Spectrum Health staff will put the bag of produce in vehicles and will wear masks and gloves to reduce transmission risks. Social distancing and safety protocols will be in place for safety. People who plan to pick up their free bag of produce are asked to please wear a mask and practice healthy hand hygiene.

“At Spectrum Health, improving the health of the communities we serve is central to our mission of improving health, inspiring hope and saving lives,” said Drew Dostal, regional leader for the Spectrum Health Northwest Market region, which includes the ICC, as well as Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial in Fremont and Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. “Thanks to initiatives like The Veggie Van and phenomenal support from the YMCA, Spectrum Health can connect families with fresh produce and promote good nutrition in the community. From our cooking classes and culinary medicine sessions to personalized fitness and quit nicotine programs tailored to individual needs, Spectrum Health is committed to caring for the whole individual and making health care more personalized, simpler and exceptional.”

Contact:
Azlan Ibrahim
Communications Manager
Office: 231.924.1264
Mobile: 616.227-1940
Email: azlan.ibrahim@spectrumhealth.org