A taste of local produce in a food desert
May 18, 2016LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fresh fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised meat and eggs, honey, jams, baked items, and herbs are just a few of the Gray Street Farmers Market foods available to the community beginning May 19. The farmers market serves those who work at the Health Sciences Center campus, hospitals, and other area businesses as well as residents who live in the surrounding neighborhoods of Phoenix Hill, Smoketown, Shelby Park and Liberty Green.
“Public health is about creating conditions under which people can be healthy, and that is why we organize this weekly event,” said Craig Blakely, Ph.D., M.P.H., dean, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences. “Farmers markets are great ways to bring fresh, healthy foods into our neighborhoods. Because our market accepts debit cards, SNAP benefits and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers, it is affordable and accessible to everyone.”
“We’re delighted the Gray Street Farmers market is returning to downtown Louisville for the eighth year. The fact that the farmers market is located between the UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences and the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is helping to deliver our shared message of nutritious eating to the broader community,” said Joann Schulte, D.O., M.P.H., director, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.
Open each Thursday through October 26, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., the market includes 11 vendors from throughout Kentucky and Indiana. The market welcomes two new farmers and will host a rotating group of lunch vendors and food trucks, with three options each week, in addition to the Asian-inspired offerings from Green Farm. The market also has established a new partnership with the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service’s Nutrition Education Program, and will co-sponsor meal-sampling events on June 9, July 14, and August 11.
Located on the 400 block of E. Gray Street, between South Preston and South Jackson streets, the Gray Street Farmers Market is coordinated by the UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences and the Metro Department of Health and Wellness. Parking is available on Chestnut, Preston or Jackson streets as well as the Chestnut Street garage.
STAY CONNECTED
Find the Gray Street Farmers Market on Facebook.
Visit the Gray Street Farmers Market website to learn more about our vendors and upcoming events.
###
Julie oversees digital content for the Office of Communications and Marketing. She began her UofL career on the Health Sciences Center campus in 2007. Prior to this, Julie was a journalist with WFPL (Louisville Public Media), and occasionally filed reports for National Public Radio.