Dr. Ram Raju, president of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, announced today that HHC will host farmers markets at 11 of its facilities this year, including, for the first time, at HHC Kings County in Brooklyn and HHC Gouverneur in Manhattan, helping to make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible to New Yorkers who need them for a healthy diet.

HHC’s farmers markets offer a variety of affordable, regionally grown vegetables, fruits and flowers and fresh juices in communities where residents sometimes lack access to quality produce at reasonable prices. Numerous payment options are in place to help residents take advantage of farmers markets, and shoppers can take advantage of EBT/SNAP, Health Bucks, Green Checks, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons and Women, Infants and Children coupons.

“Farmers markets directly support HHC’s efforts to build healthy communities, and we’re very happy to keep expanding the program to bring affordable food options to more and more neighborhoods,” said Raju. “Along with regular checkups and exercise, a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables keeps people fit and helps to control or avoid chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.”

Many HHC farmers markets also conduct regular on-site cooking and nutrition demonstrations, providing healthy recipes and eating tips, and highlighting how eating fruits and vegetables can help ward off or control the symptoms of obesity and chronic disease.

Instead of a traditional farmers market, HHC Bellevue Hospital Center in Manhattan has partnered with GrowNYC to become part of its Fresh Food Box Program, which every week provides participants with a curated selection of six to nine types of the best seasonally available regionally grown produce, along with recipes and instructions for proper storage.

HHC is also an active participant in the Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program, under which physicians write “prescriptions” for families to eat more fruit and vegetables. Patients then receive Health Bucks that can be used at farmers markets throughout the city. The program is active this year at HHC Bellevue, HHC Harlem and HHC Elmhurst hospitals.

HHC offers a variety of primary and preventive care services to help New Yorkers control their weight, avoid or manage chronic conditions and learn about healthy eating and lifestyles. All services are affordable and are available to New Yorkers regardless of their immigration status. Call 311 or visit HHC’s website to locate the HHC facility nearest to you.

2015 HHC FARMERS MARKETS

Brooklyn

HHC Coney Island Hospital

2100 Ocean Parkway (Avenue Z and Shore Road)

June 17 to Nov. 25 (closed July 3)

Wednesdays and Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

HHC Kings County Hospital Center

451 Clarkson Ave. (between 37th and 38th streets)

July 8 to Nov. 25

Wednesday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bronx

HHC Jacobi Medical Center

1400 Pelham Parkway

Pedestrian Mall

May 5 to Nov. 24

Tuesdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

HHC Lincoln Medical Center

East 149th Street between Morris and Park avenues

June 26 to Nov. 20

Tuesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

HHC North Central Bronx Hospital

Mosholu Parkway between North and Jerome avenues

July 8 to Nov. 18

Wednesdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Manhattan

HHC Bellevue Hospital Center

462 First Ave. (between 26th and 28th streets)

Tuesdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

HHC Gouverneur Health

227 Madison St.

July 9 to Nov. 19

Thursdays noon – 5 p.m.

HHC Harlem Hospital Center

Lenox Avenue between 135th and 137th streets

Fridays 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

HHC Metropolitan Hospital Center

99th Street and Third Avenue

July 10 to Nov. 20

Fridays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Queens

HHC Elmhurst Hospital Center

41st Avenue between 80th and 81st streets

June 2 to Nov. 24

Tuesdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

HHC Queens Hospital Center

82-68 164th St.

Side of the Pavilion Building

July 9 to Nov. 12

Thursdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.