March 29, 2017
One location offers farm produce, free cooking, nutrition, and exercise classes
(Austin, TX.) — The Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center is welcoming the Montopolis neighborhood’s first-ever farm stand — Farmshare Austin’s Fresh for Less Mobile Market – that will sell fresh produce at affordable prices.
It’s also Farmshare Austin’s first farm stand to be located at a community health center in Austin. The mobile market will be at the health center every Friday from 11 – 1 p.m. beginning March 31.
“The people who participate in our free exercise and cooking classes here at the Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center have told us they have trouble finding healthy, affordable food in this area,” said Elizabeth Marrero, Program Director at the Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center. “Plus some have attended a farmers’ market in the past but had a poor experience. Either the prices were too high or the market lacked signage in Spanish. We are changing that and trying to encourage healthy eating and healthy living in our community. Hosting a mobile farm stand once a week is a great start.”
The Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center is located at the intersection of Montopolis Drive and East Oltorf Street in southeast Austin. The mobile farm stand is a healthy option in an area saturated with fast-food restaurants and convenience stores. CommUnityCare operates the health clinic inside Southeast Health & Wellness Center and estimates 65 percent of patients in the area are overweight. Access to healthy food options and free, convenient exercise classes are part of the solution to the obesity challenge.
The City of Austin’s Fresh for Less initiative provides local, high-quality and fresh produce at an affordable price in different areas of Austin. Farmshare Austin operates the weekly Fresh for Less Mobile Markets.
“The Mobile Market approach meets families where they live, work, or seek health care, resulting in one less stop in their day,” said Carolina Mueller, Food Access Manager, Farmshare Austin. The mobile market accepts Lone Star SNAP, credit, and debit cards, and offers Sustainable Food Center’s Double Dollars, a project that matches up to $30 in SNAP benefits that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables. For more information about Farmshare Austin, please visit www.farmshareaustin.org
