EmblemHealth and Harvest Home Farmer's Markets Kick-Off a Summer of 'Eating for Good Health' Across New York City

NEW YORK, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EmblemHealth and Harvest Home Farmer's Markets are offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, cooking demonstrations and health and wellness screenings to the people of New York City this summer through the "Eating for Good Health" program.

A kick-off celebration for the start of the cooking demonstrations is scheduled for the week of July 10 – 14, 2012 with special activities, giveaways and health screenings.

"Good health starts with excellent nutrition, and there is no better time to start than summer when produce is fresh and abundant. It's a privilege to work with Harvest Home to offer families fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms and promote better eating. Good nutrition helps hold down extra weight, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes," said William A. Gillespie, MD, Chief Medical Officer, EmblemHealth.

With the support of EmblemHealth, Harvest Home Farmer's Markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem and Queens are offering families:

• Direct access to farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms.
• Live cooking demonstrations by Community Educators using foods found at the farmer's market to prepare healthy dishes. Recipe cards of each dish, printed in English and Spanish, will include nutritional information and be available to take home.

Additionally, EmblemHealth is providing:

• Vouchers for $1 off purchases at the markets, distributed to Medicaid members.
• Health screenings and information throughout the season.
• Vouchers for a free glucose meter.

Harvest Home is a leader in providing low-income communities access to farmer's markets and pioneered the "Eating for Good Health" initiative to bring under-served residents the foods, know-how and hands-on tools to eat and live well.

"EmblemHealth's support is instrumental in our mission to educate families about the health benefits of eating fresh, local and seasonal produce and how to prepare delicious, healthy meals," said Maritza Wellington Owens, chief executive officer and founder of Harvest Home.

The following is the schedule for the Harvest Home Farmer's Markets:

Bronx
Mt. Eden Avenue Market - Thursdays through Dec. 20, 2012
Cooking Demonstrations begin July 12, 2012 through Oct. 25, 2012
Claremont Park, Mt. Eden and Morris Avenues

Brooklyn
Coney Island Hospital Market - Fridays through Nov. 16, 2012
Cooking Demonstrations begin July 13, 2012 through Oct. 26, 2012
Ocean Parkway between Avenue Z and Shore Road

Harlem
Mt. Morris Park Historic District Market - Saturdays through Nov. 17, 2012
Cooking Demonstrations begin July 14, 2012 through Oct. 27, 2012
120th Street and Lenox Avenue

West Harlem Farmer's Market – Tuesdays beginning July 10 through Nov. 20, 2012
Cooking Demonstrations begin July 10, 2012 through Nov. 20, 2012
137th Street and Broadway

Queens
Roy Wilkins Park Farmer's Market - Saturdays beginning July 7 through Nov. 17, 2012
Merrick and Baisley Boulevards

For more information, please visit www.harvesthomefm.org.

About EmblemHealth

EmblemHealth, Inc., through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), provides quality health care coverage and administrative services to approximately 2.8 million people. Groups and individuals can choose from a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO plans, as well as coverage for prescription drugs and dental and vision care. We offer a choice of networks, including quality doctors and other health care professionals throughout the region, leading acute care hospitals across the tristate area, and physicians and hospitals across all 50 states. For more information, visit www.emblemhealth.com.

About Harvest Home Farmer's Market

The market is operated by Harvest Home Farmers' Market, Inc. (HHFM) an East Harlem based non-profit whose mission is to increase access to farm fresh, locally grown produce for consumers in high need, low-income New York communities identified as "fresh and healthy food deserts."  Founded in 1993, HHFM operates a network of farmers markets in East Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens communities under-served by grocery stores and other fresh food outlets. The farmers' markets provide direct producer-to-consumer economic opportunities for farmers and food producers who sell their goods at HHFM markets.  For more information, visit www.harvesthomefm.org.

SOURCE EmblemHealth