Woonsocket Farmers Market opens today! Tuesday, July 9th

For more information:  

Marlene Roberti, Thundermist Health Center, 401-767-4100 ext. 3014

Kayla Ringelheim, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, 401-312-4250

WOONSOCKET FARMERS’ MARKET IS BACK!  OPENS JULY 9, 2013

Thundermist Health Center and Farm Fresh Rhode Island are partnering once again to bring fresh produce to the Woonsocket Area. 

Woonsocket, RI (July 5, 2013) - Beginning Tuesday, July 9th the farmers’ market will be held every Tuesday until October 29th from 3:30-6:30pm.  Taking place in the Thundermist Health Center of Woonsocket parking lot at 450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, the market is open to the entire community.

Fresh Produce and Dairy from Local Vendors:

Throughout the summer and fall stop by the market for local fruits and vegetables from Oakdale Farm, Cooks Valley Farm, and C&M Farm.  First Tuesdays of every month, Wright’s Dairy Farm will also be selling its own dairy, made right over the MA border from Woonsocket.  Farm Fresh RI will also supplement the market by bringing cheese and yogurt products from Narragansett Creamery and applesauce from Farm Fresh RI’s Harvest Kitchen program.

Market Events and Activities:

On July 23rd from 3:30-6:30pm, Thundermist will host a Health Fair with the farmers market featuring free health screenings, resource tables, free healthy snacks, a live band, and more.  Throughout the season, come celebrate National Farmers Market Week (August 4 through 10), Bike to Farmers Market Week (August 25 through 31), and National Food Day on October 24th!

Farm Fresh Market Welcome Table Services:

The Woonsocket Farmers Market accepts cash, credit cards, EBT/SNAP, Senior Coupons, WIC Farmers Market Coupons and WIC Fruit and Vegetable checks.  Customers with credit, debit or EBT cards can purchase Fresh Bucks – farmers' market tokens – at the Farm Fresh RI welcome table.  Farm Fresh RI markets provide an additional 40% bonus for customers using EBT to increase access to fresh fruits and veggies for low-income individuals.

Healthy Foods, Healthy Families

Healthy Foods, Healthy Families is a free nutrition education program for families receiving WIC or SNAP benefits with children under the age of 12.  Families enjoy free food samples and fun educational activities for children!  Every three visits a family makes, they will receive $20 to shop for fruits and vegetable at the farmers market.

Thundermist Health Center is a non-profit community health center providing primary health care services.  Services include pediatrics, ob/gyn, internal medicine, dental, pharmacy, school-based health centers and nutritional services, including the Women, Infant & Children (WIC) program.  Additionally, the health center offers social services and behavioral health counseling to its patients.  Thundermist has three locations, Woonsocket, South County, and West Warwick, and serves clients with and without health insurance.  The agency, which in 2012 served more than 35,000 patients, is a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home, the highest level of accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). 

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is a nonprofit organization with the mission of growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of Rhode Island farmers and eaters. Farm Fresh Rhode Island manages 9 markets directly throughout the year, and also maintains a local food guide listing all farmers markets in Rhode Island. For more information about Farm Fresh Rhode Island or a complete listing of farmers markets in Rhode Island please visit: www.farmfreshri.org.

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