Family Market Days Promote Healthy Eating and Local Farmers

The Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) encourages Oakland County residents to participate in the annual Family Market Day events. Five-dollar coupons to purchase produce from local farmers are available to residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card or who are enrolled in Oakland County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

“Family Market Day events demonstrate our dedication to help increase the amount of fresh produce residents purchase, as well as support our local farmers,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, director of Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services. “These events are a great way to connect residents to fresh and locally grown produce.”

Family Market Days will take place the following days:

• Thursday, July 18 at the Oak Park Farmers Market (14300 Oak Park Boulevard, Oak Park) from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Saturday, July 20 at Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford) from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Five-dollar coupons for produce are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used during the event. Distribution ends 30 minutes before the market closes, and no registration is necessary. The farmers markets also offer Double Up Food Bucks, which match money spent using a Bridge card/EBT up to $20.

There will be family activities such as face painting, a petting zoo, and prizes. Various resources will also be available on-site.

Family Market days are made possible in part by Trinity Health.

For more information, visit oakgov.com/health, @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Kelsey Merz at [email protected] or 248-365-8954.

About 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: The Farmers Market Team to improve the health and well-being of Oakland County residents by supporting Farmers Markets and the Youth Team to improve health and well-being 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 public information officer, at 248-858-1048.