Woonsocket Winter Farmers Market to Open in February

Woonsocket Winter Farmers Market to Open in February

Thundermist Health Center and Farm Fresh Rhode Island continue partnership

 to bring fresh produce to the Woonsocket area. 

Woonsocket, RI (January 27, 2014) - Beginning Wednesday, February 5th, an indoor winter farmers market will be held every Wednesday until June 18th from 3:00-6:30pm.  Taking place in Thundermist Health Center of Woonsocket’s indoor lobby at 450 Clinton Street, the market is open to the entire community.

“Thundermist Health Center and Farm Fresh Rhode Island share an understanding that the health of communities is tied directly to its access to healthy food,” says Chuck Jones, CEO of Thundermist Health Center. “We are excited to be able to offer a winter farmers market to our community this year, for the first time.”

Over the last three years, Thundermist and Farm Fresh have partnered to support a thriving summertime Woonsocket Farmers Market at Thundermist’s Clinton Street facility. When funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI’s Blue Angel Community Health Grant became available for partners wanting to address childhood obesity, exploring the idea of a winter market in Woonsocket was a natural fit.

“The need for healthy, good quality food does not only exist between the ripe harvest months of July-October,” says Sheri Griffin, Farm Fresh Co-Executive Director. “Year-round access, while challenging with New England’s cold winters, is still something to strive for.”

The BCBS Blue Angel grant funding will help cover the start-up costs to get a winter market in Woonsocket off the ground. Farm Fresh will buy food directly from local and regional farms to stock the market and sell it at affordable prices in a farm stand set-up. Shoppers can expect fresh potatoes, onions, squash, apples, carrots, and greens from local farmers. Supplementing from farms along the east coast, the market will also offer peppers, tomatoes, green beans, other fruits, and more. 

The Woonsocket Winter Farmers Market accepts cash, credit/debit cards, and EBT/SNAP.  Customers with credit, debit or EBT cards can purchase Fresh Bucks – farmers market tokens – at the Farm Fresh RI welcome table.  This market will also provide an additional 40% bonus for customers using EBT to increase access to fresh fruits and veggies for low-income individuals. On opening day, the first 50 shoppers who attend the market will receive a free reusable shopping bag, provided by Thundermist and Farm Fresh. Come one, come all!