EmblemHealth Helps New Yorkers Make Healthier Food Choices

NEW YORK, July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EmblemHealth is working with GrowNYC and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to provide health and nutrition resources for New Yorkers at select GrowNYC Greenmarkets in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.

EmblemHealth is supporting four Greenmarkets which provide residents with resources like farm-fresh fruits and vegetables for purchase, cooking demonstrations, free nutrition workshops for all ages, complimentary health screenings and the Health Bucks program.

"EmblemHealth is a major advocate for keeping New Yorkers and their neighborhoods healthy through good nutrition," said David Flemister, Director of Community Marketing at EmblemHealth. "We're proud to support GrowNYC and delighted the New York City Department of Health is providing their services to raise awareness of the health benefits of locally grown produce for all New Yorkers."

The DOHMH will conduct cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes and provide its Health Bucks program to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries. For every $5 spent in food stamps at a farmers' market, residents receive a $2 Health Buck redeemable at all New York City farmers' markets for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Alyson Abrami, Manager of Farmers Market Programs at the New York City Department of Health, applauded the collaboration, adding "Making healthy foods accessible to all New Yorkers is a crucial step in improving the health of our city and addressing the obesity epidemic."

The following is more information on the four GrowNYC Greenmarkets EmblemHealth is supporting:

Manhattan
175^th Street Market – Thursdays through November 21, 2013
175^th Street between Wadsworth and Broadway
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Health Bucks, cooking demonstrations
EmblemHealth screening and health and wellness information: July 11 and 25, August 15, September 19 and October 3

Queens
Corona Market – Fridays through November 22, 2013
Roosevelt Avenue between 103^rd Street and 104^th Street
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Health Bucks, cooking demonstrations and food activities for kids
EmblemHealth screening and health and wellness information: July 12 and 26, August 16, September 20 and October 4

Brooklyn
Brownsville Rockaway Youthmarket – Fridays through November 22, 2013
Corner of Rockaway Avenue and Livonia Avenue
Noon – 7 p.m.
Health Bucks
EmblemHealth screening and health and wellness information: July 12 and 19, August 23, September 27 and October 11

Barclays Center Market – Wednesdays through November 27, 2013
Flatbush Avenue side
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
EmblemHealth screenings: every Wednesday July 17 – September 25

"Health and wellness go hand in hand with Greenmarket's mission to provide all New Yorkers with access to fresh, locally grown food while helping regional farmers keep their land in agricultural production," said Marcel Van Ooyen, executive director, GrowNYC. "We are thrilled to work with EmblemHealth and the NYC Department of Health to advance this mission, not only advocating for the many benefits of a diet that includes local fruits and vegetables, but the sheer pleasure it is to consume them as they come into season throughout the year."

For more information about EmblemHealth, visit emblemhealth.com. For more information about GrowNYC, visit grownyc.org. For more information on the Health Bucks program, visit nyc.gov/health/farmersmarkets.

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 3.4 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. EmblemHealth offers 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 GrowNYC
GrowNYC improves New York City's quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations. Programs: Greenmarket, Office of Recycling Outreach and Education, Open Space Greening, Environmental Education and Grow to Learn NYC: Citywide School Gardens Initiative. Learn more at www.grownyc.org.   

SOURCE EmblemHealth