PHILADELPHIA, May 23 – State Reps. Babette Josephs and Kenyatta Johnson and Sen. Anthony H. Williams, all D-Phila., announce the Grays Ferry Farmers’ Market will open for the season Tuesday, May 31. The market will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Tuesday in Peace Plaza on Wharton Street between 29th and Hollywood through October.
The farmers’ market will be run by the Food Trust and will feature locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as Amish baked goods and canned items.
“Philadelphia is one of farming’s biggest customers, yet urban residents often have difficulty finding easy access to fresh, nutritious local foods. This new farmers’ market addresses that problem while also helping local farmers sell their crops,” Josephs said.
“In order to fight against obesity, it’s important to reverse the ailing geographical landscape and make healthy food establishments easily accessible,” Johnson said. “I am proud to support programs that help promote healthy lifestyles to our youth, and the community as a whole.”
“It’s always a great moment when we can focus on viable solutions as opposed to simply admiring the problem,” Williams said. “This market will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our community, items that aid in combating chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
“For far too long, those ailments have been the norm, as have been fast food and unhealthy snacks that predominate in urban areas. We begin to substantively attack the problem by providing alternatives that are accessible and affordable. The Grays Ferry Farmers’ Market is such an example. It will help promote healthier lifestyles – the ones marked by sound nourishment that help students stay focused and achieve in school and reduce health care costs. I’ll take that over a community plagued by chronic illness any day.”
The Grays Ferry Farmers’ Market is one of 10 new markets in the city as part of Get Healthy Philly, an initiative of the city’s Public Health Department. The Food Trust worked with Josephs, Johnson and Williams, as well as neighbors and community groups, to establish this market.
The market will accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers given to seniors and WIC recipients, as well as Access cards; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as food stamps; and Philly Food Bucks, an incentive program for SNAP customers.