Market Days seek to promote healthy eating

by | Jul 14, 2022 | Health and Wellness

Market Days seek to promote healthy eating and food access in Oakland County

Pontiac, Michigan – The Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) encourages residents to participate in their annual Family and Senior Market Days this summer. Residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card or who participate in Oakland County’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will receive a $5 coupon to purchase produce from local farmers on Family Market Days, and residents 60 years and older will receive a $5 coupon on Senior Market Days. Coupons are distributed on a first come, first served basis, and must be used during the event. No registration is necessary.

“These events help connect residents with locally grown, fresh produce, while familiarizing them with farmers markets around the county,” said Calandra Green, Oakland County health officer. “They also offer free nutrition education and physical activity opportunities to help reinforce healthy behaviors.”

In addition to $5 coupons for produce, the events will include a variety of activities for families and seniors, including yoga, Oakland County Parks inflatables, raffles, and prizes. Various resources will also be on site, including breastfeeding support, WIC Project Fresh, and older adult health resources.

WIC Project Fresh coupons will also be available at Family Market Days for enrolled WIC clients. The Oakland County and Oak Park Farmers Markets also offer Double Up Food Bucks, which matches money spent at a farmers’ market using a Bridge card/EBT up to $20.

Family Market Days:

July 23, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford)

July 27, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Oak Park Farmers Market (Oak Park High School Parking Lot, 13701 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park)

Senior Market Days (age 60+ only):

August 24, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Oak Park Farmers Market (Oak Park High School Parking Lot, 13701 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park)

September 8, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford)

September 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Farmington Farmers Market (33113 Grand River Ave., Farmington)

The market days this year are made possible in part by Beaumont Health, Trinity Health, Humana, Genysis Credit Union, Henry Ford Health System.

For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/health, @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Jessica Williams at [email protected] or (248) 563-7792.

Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP)

Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) was launched by Oakland County Health Division in 2009 as a collaboration of local government, hospitals, health care providers, community-based organizations, business, and citizens working to increase and promote healthy eating and physical activity opportunities.

HOP currently has two teams dedicated to specific initiatives:

  • Farmers Market Team – Improve the health and well-being of Oakland County by supporting Farmers Markets.
  • Youth Team – Improve the health and well-being of Oakland County through programs in schools.

HOP began hosting Family Market Days in 2009 to engage entire families in healthy eating practices and encourage physical activity. The partnership expanded to include older adults in 2017 by hosting Senior Market Days.

For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.