This summer, Go!Healthy led walking trips for parents and youth to farmers’ markets across New York City. There are currently over 130 farmers’ markets across New York City that provide fresh local seasonal produce. Go!Healthy educates our youth and their families about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, but most importantly advises all to shop in season. Seasonality ties in very closely with the affordability of fruits and vegetables, and this summer the selection at the farmers’ market was immense.
Walking to these markets is indeed a treat given their proximity to many of our centers and community schools, and the benefits of walking are undisputed. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular brisk walking can help maintain a healthy weight, prevent, or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. It can also strengthen bones and muscles, improve your mood, and improve balance and coordination.
During July and August, we had more than 10 farmers’ market walking trips that directly linked our youth and their families to their pick of fruits and vegetables. Every family who attends a farmers’ market trip with Go!Healthy receives Health Bucks-- $2 coupons from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that families can use to shop for fruits and vegetables only at the farmers’ market. Additionally, for every $5 in EBT/SNAP dollars exchanged at the farmers’ market, families receive an additional $2 in Health Bucks. Regular farmers’ market walking trips will be ongoing through the fall in Harlem, the Bronx, and in Washington Heights.
For more information regarding the Go!Healthy farmers’ market walking trips, please check the Go!Healthy Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/CASGoHealthy) for more details, or reach out to Kathleen Delgado, kdelgado1@childrensaidsociety.org. If you would like to learn more about Go!Healthy programming please reach out to Alyson Abrami, director of food and nutrition (aabrami@childrensaidsociety.org)
If you would like to find a farmers’ market near you, text “SoGood” to 877877; or in Spanish “MuyRico” al 877877. This service and other fresh food resources can be found at: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/cdp-farmersmarkets.page
