Truman Medical Centers and the Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation Launch TMC Healthy Harvest Mobile Market

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Truman Medical Centers (TMC) and the Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation (HHEDC) launch the TMC Healthy Harvest Mobile Market. The mobile market unit will help bring better food choices directly to the people of the community each week.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120716/CL40804 )

"With a scarcity of quality choices for fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy items in the urban core of Kansas City, the HHEDC partnered with TMC to bring this first in the region mobile version of our weekly produce market directly to the community," said TMC President/CEO John W. Bluford. "TMC has been leading the way to a healthier community through expertise in nutrition, chronic disease management and comprehensive health and wellness programs and this is just the next step in our efforts to 'think outside of the bed' and bring healthy choice outside the hospital walls, to the community."

The TMC Healthy Harvest Mobile Market is a mobile grocery store unit that will travel throughout the urban core on a weekly basis bringing residents opportunities to purchase healthy choices such as fresh fruits and vegetables in their community at an affordable cost. The full size, specially equipped bus will make five stops every Tuesday and Thursday at:

• The Jackson County Courthouse (415 East 12th Street) – Tues - 9 am – 11 am
• Lucile Bluford Public Library (3050 Prospect Ave) - Tues – 12pm -3 pm
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Thornberry Unit (43rd and Cleveland)  - Tues– 4pm – 6pm
• Hillcrest Community Center (10401 Hillcrest Road) – Thurs – 10am – 1pm
• Southeast Community Center (4201 E. 63rd St.) – Thurs – 2pm – 5pm

In addition to fresh produce and some non-perishable items, education will be a major focus of the Healthy Harvest Mobile Market with nutritionists and dieticians available to help teach customers how to eat healthier and new dishes that can be made from mobile market stock available for purchase.

"Many residents of the urban core battle chronic illness and proper nutrition is a vital part of managing those issues.  TMC is the natural partner for the Healthy Harvest Mobile Market concept and is dedicated to bringing healthy eating choices and education to the community they serve," said Dr. Loretta Britton, Vice Chair, HHEDC Board of Directors. "TMC has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for its leadership and its expertise in providing top quality chronic disease management and has a well established record for successful intervention through its patient driven community outreach efforts."

In addition to TMC and the HHEDC, the Healthy Harvest Mobile Market was made possible by the generous support of the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City Power & Light, Menorah Legacy Foundation, Metcalf Bank, JE Dunn, James B. Nutter & Company, the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.

About Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation  

The Hospital Hill Economic Development Corporation (HHEDC) is focused on urban economic development in the immediate area around Hospital Hill near downtown Kansas City. This health care focus presents the perfect opportunity for business and development projects tied to health care, wellness, and health care technology.Bottom of Form  Coinciding with the establishment of an economic development corporation focused on health and wellness, the HHEDC is also laying the groundwork for the landmark project, a community grocery store and produce market, which will provide healthy food choices to an area of the urban core classified as a food desert. For more information, please call (816) 404-3559 or visit http://www.hhedc.com

About TMC

Truman Medical Centers is a not-for-profit two acute-care hospital health system in Kansas City. The TMC Health System includes TMC Hospital Hill, TMC Lakewood, TMC Behavioral Health, the Jackson County Health Department and a number of primary care practices throughout Eastern Jackson County. Recently named one of the nation's top academic medical centers, TMC is the primary teaching hospital for the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry and specializes in asthma, bariatrics, diabetes, women's health, and trauma services.  For more information, please call (816) 404-3785 or visit www.trumed.org

For More Information, contact:
Shane Kovac, Media Relations Manager, (816)404-3786

SOURCE Truman Medical Centers